PSG set to file charges vs driver in EDSA accident

[mazdamazda]

here's the updated story...

Raps vs driver who tried to join presidential convoy

The Philippine Star 02/21/2007

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) is set to press charges against a driver of a sedan for trying to join President Arroyo’s motorcade last Monday, causing one of her vehicle escorts to overturn. Two PSG officers were hurt.

PSG Chief Col. Romeo Prestoza said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to government property would be filed against Archibald Yap Ang. Ang was tailing the motorcade to escape the usually heavy traffic along EDSA.

Prestoza said Ang was able to overtake the last five vehicles of the convoy and was nearing the back-up BMW presidential limousine when they reached Mandaluyong City.

S/Sgt. Antonio Liban, who was in a Nissan Safari with M/Sgt. Zaldy Novicio, blocked the approaching Honda Jazz, which smashed into him.

The Nissan went out of control, tumbled, and landed on its roof. Ang, meanwhile, crashed into a pillar of the elevated Metro Rail Transit commuter train. Prestoza said the BMW also sustained damage in its left side.

Liban sustained cuts in the head that required four stitches while Novicio suffered contusions all over.

"We were thankful that the President was not hurt and our men only sustained relatively minor injuries," Prestoza told The STAR.— Paolo Romero

[bender]

Unlike the short convoy that i had a problem with last year, the PSG are far more organized and disciplined. They normally have around 2 big bikes which direct the traffic before the main convoy arrives.
However, i am not surprised about the accident. I normally see some cars take advantage of the convoy by tailing them. Also, since the authorities don't do anything about enforcing swerving, incidents like these will occur because it has become common practice.

[shadow]

given that the authorities are not giving proper attention on swerving, it doesn't mean that anyone can just swerve into the presidential's convoy? right? it's not about the authorities given enough attention or not, the problem is the driving habits of the filipino drivers.

macut lang ng konti nagagalit na, hinde nagbibigayn sa intersection, it's ego thing..yun lang masasbi masyadong mayayabang nga drivers natin, ayaw magbigay kahit na maharangan ang intersection basta mauna siya, kahit traffic sa lane niya, whether half car or whole car ang maabante niya, basta mron makaabante

[Nell]

If the Jazz was tailing the presidential convoy to escape the EDSA traffic. What's the need to overtake the last 5 vehicles of the convoy. Kung ganun ginawa niya the PSG has the reason na to shoot the vehicle to disable it dahil baka car bomb pa yun dahil he was inching his way to the presidential car. He was so damn lucky. In fairness to PSG nakasalubong ko na minsan yan on a left turn slot in Roxas Blvd. going to UN. Nagkataong paleft ako nun at traffic na sa going to pier kaya they have to turn left na duon sa slot na yun. They were very courteous in signalling us to keep a lane open para makadaan sandali yung presidential car which is going to the Grandstand. You will not feel na itinaboy na lang kayo basta-basta.

[creepy]

Dapat makulong ng ilang buwan si Ang sa ginawa niya.

Para maturuan ng leksyon.

[mbeige]

Akala siguro nung Jazz owner eh mag-F-Fit siya at makakalusot...

If the Patrol attempted to enforce its authority, I have to say it did not act as if it was protecting a president. The convoy should have seen him coming and the escorts should have prevented the Jazz from making contact at all. Lack of coordination in their part also resulted in this.

[Hanren]

Galing ata itong Jazz driver sa Iraq...may suicide mission ata ito....

[x-wind]

that driver of the Jazz is a moron. I mean seriously, how can you even be given a license to drive a car if you dont posses any common sense. Tailing the presidential convoy and cutting other civilian cars, overtaking 5 ! cars of the presidential convoy after you've been given visual warning signs not to, and then cutting into the presidential convoy. I mean theres a reason why they have clearly marked lights, motorcycle escorts, sirens , back up ambulances, etc. Its so that even the most visually impaired people will notice them and respect their right of way. I guess it didnt register in his brain that 'OOOPS. Maybe I shouldnt cut into this official convoy. Maybe I should let it pass.' Not only was he risking his life but his passenger's life as well. What an ignorant moron , ninkompoop and brainless buffoon. Hope his insurance refuses to pay for the damage to teach him a lesson.

dapat matangalan ng license.

[ess]

dapat matangalan ng license.

Yeah! I agree.
Dapat din mag render siya ng community service. Maybe he should be required to work as an MMDA traffic enforcer for 1 year.

Dapat din i-confiscate yung car niya.

[IMm29]

I've seen GMA's Presidential convoy once or twice in Makati. You can't miss it. It's got motorcycle cops, GUs, city cop car, ambulance and tailing private SUV. Traffic does grind to a halt when they come by, but they're quick to go about their business. They give you some time to react and stop (assuming, of course, you're paying attention to the road in the first place), so you should just stop and give way. In tight traffic, they just take up the space needed by the GU to move around. So it's not like you've got to go up on the sidewalk just to steer clear. C'mon, maybe one or two GUs cutting into your lane feeling like they own the road will catch your attention and piss you off, but this is a helluva lot more GUs in convoy, with windows down and bodyguards waving for you to give way. Magdududa ka pa ba? If you were in the right frame of mind, lalabanan mo pa ba?

Now, as regards niky's point about the other unofficial convoys, this should be a good topic for media to play up. There are just too many cars with sirens and blinkers going around, despite these being illegal. What happened to the enforcement? Or do the law enforcers turn a blind eye and deaf ear because they themselves as well as their higher ups are also law breakers?