FEBRUARY 15, 2026 — Getting into a traffic accident in the Philippines doesn’t automatically mean you’ll end up behind bars. That’s the latest clarification from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), after a driver in Quezon City nearly faced criminal charges when a student fell from the LRT-1 platform and was struck by his vehicle.

NAPOLCOM vice chair Rafael Vicente Calinisan made it clear, saying, “Wala naman nakalagay na kailangan arestuhin, so ‘yun yung kelangan klaruhin, ‘yung kailangan maayos nakalagay sa ating magiging bagong manual para magabayan ang ating kapulisan.” 

(There is nothing that says arrests are automatically required, so that is what we need to clarify in our new manual to guide our police.)

So what does this mean for motorists? According to Calinisan, cops often arrest drivers to protect themselves from charges of negligence, especially when fatalities are involved. But he stressed that there are two options: inquest proceedings if negligence is obvious, or regular filing if evidence is unclear. In the LRT case, the driver was released.

This isn’t just about one incident but about how much power police officers hold at the scene. 

Calinisan admitted, “Dapat on the ground, doon pa lang nasasala na. So, ang pinag-uusapan namin ngayon is how to control that discretion.” 

(It should already be filtered on the ground. So what we are discussing now is how to control that discretion.)

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito is pushing the Defensive Driving Protection Act, which aims to protect innocent motorists from being jailed right after an accident. Calinisan himself backs the measure, saying it will finally give clarity to police traffic procedures.

After all, when the dust settles after an accident, should a driver’s fate hinge on police discretion or on clear, consistent rules that leave no room for guesswork?

(Image: NAPOLCOM | Facebook)