PNP vows to arrest traffic violators who bribe cops

Traffic jam in Edsa. RICHARD A. REYES/FILE PHOTO

Bribing traffic enforcers may not get violating drivers out of trouble this time.

The Philippine National Police vowed to apprehend motorists who will be caught offering bribe money to cops to get away with a traffic violation.

This as almost 100 police officers from the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) start manning Edsa–Metro Manila’s longest and busiest thoroughfare–on September 7, Monday in a bid to ease traffic jams in the highway.

“To motorists who are used to bribing, remember that it is one of the orders of the PNP chief and the President that whoever offers bribe money (to get out of a traffic violation) should be arrested,” HPG Director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said on Friday.

“Hindi lang aarestuhun, kundi ikukulong dahil violation po ng batas natin ‘yon.”

(Not only will they be arrested, but they will also be jailed because that is a violation of the law.)

At 4:30 a.m. on Monday, PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez will lead the send-off for 96 personnel from the HPG and augmentation forces from Metro Manila police at Camp Crame.

They will be deployed to six areas in Edsa which are considered “chokepoints,” including 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.

Gunnacao warned violators that cops will observe the “30-second rule,” or the 30-second exposure between the offender and the enforcer, as ordered by President Aquino.

“‘Yung sinasabing 30-second rule, huhulihin mo, paparahin mo, hihingiin mo ang lisensya, bibigyan mo ng ticket. Wala nang mga kwentuhan pa, wala na kahit anong usapan na pampahaba pa, kung saan nagkakaroon ng suspetsa ang mamamayan na mayroong negosasyon na nangyayari,” he explained.

(The 30-second rule consists of the time span needed for the cop to apprehend the traffic violator, ask for their license, and give them a ticket. No more extra chitchat to prolong their exchange which could create suspicion to others that there is a negotiation going on.)

He encouraged the public to capture on their mobile phones traffic enforcers who are seen negotiating with motorists.

Gunnacao said Marquez gave a stern warning to policemen not to extort money from traffic violators.

“We’ve already asked for the commitment of our policemen that our only task is to enforce the law,” he said.

If HPG personnel will be found harassing motorists, Gunnacao stressed that they would act on it immediately and order investigation on erring cops.  Julliane Love de Jesus.  (JE)