By Jennifer P. Rendon
A photo posted by the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (CTTMO) showing a marked police vehicle clamped for illegal parking sparked mixed reactions online.
The image, uploaded on Tuesday, was part of a series highlighting vehicles clamped by CTTMO personnel. However, what caught public attention was the first vehicle in the post—a marked Philippine National Police (PNP) patrol car from Banate Municipal Police Station in Iloilo province.
While the plate number was blurred, the police markings remained visible. The photo showed four CTTMO personnel clamping the vehicle, which was parked along Forbes Bridge in Bonifacio Drive, City Proper district.
Within hours, the post had garnered thousands of laughing emojis from netizens, many of whom praised the strict enforcement of parking regulations.
However, some members of the police force, including ranking officers, criticized the CTTMO for what they saw as a lack of discretion.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Director Colonel Bayani Razalan said he has asked the Banate PNP for an explanation.
“Pwede namang hulihin. Walang problema doon. Pero bakit kailangan pang i-Facebook?” he said.
Banate Police Chief Captain Randy Lambungan confirmed that their vehicle was clamped.
He explained that two of his personnel, including a driver-investigator, had gone to the Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice to file a case against a suspect for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The building is just a few meters from where the illegal parking occurred.
Reports said security personnel at the Hall of Justice advised the police officers to park in the area due to a lack of space inside the premises.
Lambungan said his personnel were issued a citation ticket, which they immediately settled.
Razalan clarified that the police are not contesting the citation and will comply with the penalty.
“Pero parang pini-personal kami. Hindi naman iniwan doon ‘yun para mamasyal,” he said.
He also noted that the IPPO has consistently supported Iloilo City’s activities by deploying personnel and resources.
CLAMPING POLICY
The CTTMO began enforcing the clamping ordinance in July 2024 to deter illegal parking on city roads.
Regulation Ordinance 2014-191, as amended by Ordinance 2015-049, authorizes the use of wheel clamps to immobilize vehicles in designated no-parking zones, many of which are in the City Proper district, including Bonifacio Drive.
Under the ordinance, fines for clamped vehicles are as follows:
- PHP1,000 for light vehicles
- PHP1,200 for medium vehicles
- PHP1,500 for heavy vehicles
- PHP5,000 for unauthorized removal of wheel clamps
While the CTTMO’s social media post gained traction, some police officers viewed it as an unnecessary move against the PNP.
“By trumpeting what they did, it’s as if they’re proud of what they did to the police force,” one officer said. “But maybe they have a reason behind it. We just don’t know for now.”
Other officers and netizens pointed out the need for consistent enforcement.
“I hope they will be just as strict in other areas. It seems they turn a blind eye when businessmen park their vehicles illegally,” a netizen commented.
Meanwhile, some residents noted that traffic enforcers are often absent in high-congestion areas, where their presence is most needed.
this is a citywide problem. the Iloilo Cityhall has no parking space of its own. the people working in it have their cars park sprawled in Plaza Libertad beside it . kudos to the provincial capitol they have their own.
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” —Ernest Benn