Armed cops to man Edsa traffic

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Now that solving Edsa traffic is in the hands of the police, expect to see more cops — armed with handguns — along Metro Manila’s longest and busiest thoroughfare starting September 7, Monday next week.

This was after no less than President Benigno Aquino III tapped the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police as the “lead traffic law enforcement agency” in Edsa.

READ: Palace: Edsa traffic now PNP’s concern

In an interview on Wednesday, HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said the police unit will deploy 96 personnel on six major intersections considered “chokepoints” on Edsa with support from the local police.

“This morning, I coordinated with the district directors of the National Capital Region Police Office and they will be augmenting us with at least 10 personnel per chokepoint. Amenable naman sila dahil alam nilang this is a big responsibility and I need their help, (They were amenable to the [role] since they are aware that this is a big responsibility.)” Gunnacao said.

Aside from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic personnel, policemen will be deployed starting Monday next week in Balintawak in Caloocan City, Cubao in Quezon City, Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City, Guadalupe in Makati City and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

The MMDA, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were directed by the President to support the HPG.

In each chokepoint, Gunnacao said there will be at least 10 personnel; eight will come from the HPG while the remaining others will be from the local police.

Addressing the perennial traffic jams of Edsa, Aquino ordered police intervention in the implementation of traffic laws and regulation, which has been solely performed by the MMDA for years.

“Of course, [we are pressured]. There were proposals to solve the traffic [problem], but [it would take] a period of six months. This time, the President wants immediate results,” said Gunnacao.

But does the order from the President mean that the MMDA is not performing their duty well? Gunnacao explained that “history says that when the HPG were manning Edsa, drivers were scared of policemen so they [followed traffic] rules and regulations.” Julliane Love de Jesus, INQUIRER.net