Big Brother, ‘intel team’ help Manila fight ‘kotong’

Manila traffic marshals, beware. Big Brother—along with an “intelligence team” whose members are known only to city hall’s top two officials—is watching.

In line with the city government’s campaign against extortionists, a special intelligence team organized by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno has been relying on surveillance cameras to catch traffic policemen or civilian deputies in the act.

Since last year, over 60 volunteer traffic enforcers have been dismissed, the latest batch composed of eight who were fired on July 15.

“We have a one-strike policy wherein enforcers who violate our rules and regulations are immediately terminated from their post,” said Narciso Diokno, chief for operations of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.

Those caught demanding grease money from motorists face criminal charges, Moreno said.

Moreno said the team also goes after erring police officers, and that only he and Estrada know its composition.

“When we employed the members of this team, we promised them that no one except the mayor and myself would know their identities,” he said.

Aside from the surveillance team, other measures have been taken by the MTPB to dissuade its personnel from engaging in kotong.

“Aside from their P4,000 monthly allowance, volunteer traffic enforcers are also entitled to 20-percent commission on traffic violation tickets,”  Diokno said. Annelle Tayao-Juego