This is not the Wild West!

A scary news item caught my eye last week and if there’s any truth to it, it can really be very disturbing.

According to the news report, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is warning drivers who disregard traffic enforcers flagging them down for traffic violations that there will be blocking points in the Metro area where "fully armed policemen" will stop their flight and accost them for the traffic violations. The news item further said that this is going to be done due to the number of cases where erring drivers being stopped by traffic enforcers pay no attention to these personnel because they are unarmed unlike police officers.

By golly, is this Metro Manila or the Wild West? Or is our metropolis turning to be a Chicago during the days of Al Capone?

Imagine "fully armed" policemen blocking you and accosting you for a mere traffic infraction? I think this is the height of violence with our authorities taking the lead in promoting it. This is sheer overkill. Do this to the bandits in Mindanao and those all over the country but not to our motorists.

I think the more civilized way is to get the plate number of the vehicle involved, trace its owner and let the legal process take its course. With the Land Transportation Office (LTO) now computerized, tracing ownership of the vehicle may no longer be much of a problem.

I have seen several instances where these traffic enforcers were completely disregarded by erring drivers. I was a witness to such an incident on EDSA where about four to five MMDA traffic enforcers were waving a bus driver to stop, probably for being on the wrong lane or some other traffic infraction, and the bus driver just ignored them and sped away. I also saw the traffic enforcers, upon seeing that the bus was not stopping, just kept on kicking the side of the bus as it sped by their side. But none of them even took the effort to jot down the name of the bus company and its body and plate numbers. They could have done just that and start the trace by calling the bus company to report the incident and find out the name of the driver. Then let the legal process start and be pursued to the end by a special group assigned to do just that.

Now, if we are talking about a life-threatening "hit-and-run," then that’s another story. But violations like disregarding traffic signs or beating the red light or illegal lane weaving do not merit the force of "fully armed" policemen. Don’t you think so?

Just a thought, Mr. MMDA Chairman.

The Sea, Sand and Sun Plus The New Revo

It was like deja vu. Most of Manila’s media were in the plush Shangri-La Hotel in Mactan Island, Cebu last weekend, enjoying the sun, sea and the sand. The more adventurous and daring were either jet skiing or parasailing. The swimming enthusiasts had the choice of the very calm sea or the two pools offered by the posh hotel. A good number elected to just have a good tan by the beach or the poolside to get the envy of their officemates and friends after their exciting trip. And all these lucky and spoiled motoring journalists were all invited by Toyota Motor Philippines Inc. (TMPI) for the launch of the new upgraded Tamaraw FX Revo, just like several years ago when its present well-received platform was first introduced to the local market.

The current president of TMPI, Mr. Nobuharu Tabata, was there to welcome all the mediamen to the well- attended launch, which was as usual marked by flowing wines and spirits and expensive XO plus a wide array of good food topped by large-sized prawns and rock lobsters and other delectable dishes. The very gentle and soft-spoken Tabata-san was very modest in triumph as he thanked the journalists for their support in making Toyota still the overall leader in the country’s automotive industry and again the top-seller in passenger car sales.

A pleasant surprise was to see Mr. Alfred Ty, scion of Metrobank top honcho and TMPI Chairman, Mr. George Ty. Alfred came to the affair together with his very pretty and charming wife Cherry, daughter of another business taipan, Mr. Lucio Tan. The very young first VP for marketing of TMPI helped unveil the new AUV offering during the launch. I tried to have an "on-cam" chat with him but this young executive, who I have been with to several trips to the Tokyo Motor Show, jokingly said he preferred having XO with me than appear on television.

All gung-ho with the new Revo is TMPI’s top marketing honcho, Mr. Daniel Isla, who is confident that Toyota will maintain its leadership in AUV sales with the new Revo. He pointed out that the Sport Runner model banners the new model line-up that boasts of a more energetic exterior design and interior luxury upgraded to a higher level unseen in other vehicles in its class.

A "marketing workaholic," Danny proudly showed us how the Revo Sport Runner (SR) distinguishes itself with its sleek new profile by way of the following: powerful multi-reflector halogen headlamp, new sporty grille design, new front bumper design, integrated fog lamps, body claddings and over fenders, newly designed side stripes, a newly designed tail light garnish and an all-new five spoke 15-inch alloy wheels, if only to mention the exterior facelift.

Equally all excited about the Toyota FX Revo upgrade was TMPI’s VP for Vehicle Sales, Mr. Raymond Rodriguez, who gamely pointed out some of its new exterior features; two-tone leather seats, molded door trims, sporty dashboard design, three spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, metal panel trims at the center cluster and air con vents and lower panel trim. Raymond also emphasized that another new interior feature of the new Revo is the new rear sliding, reclining and foldable seats, which create additional room and comfort options for its occupants. It also now comes with an armrest equipped with dual cup holders in the front seats, allowing passengers to relax as they enjoy the Revo SR’s new entertainment package, which begins with Kenwood 2-DIN, 3-in-1 Radio, Cassette and In-dash single CD player car audio system. It’s also fitted with a dual-monitor VCD system for audiovisual entertainment.

As for the new Revo SR’s technical specs, it’s powered by what they always consider as the reliable 7K-E 1.8 liter 4 cylinder in-line overhead valve electronically fuel injected gasoline engine that produces a maximum output of 94 Hp at 5,000 rpm and maximum torque of 155 Nm at 3,200 rpm. The SR comes with two transmission options – 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

For safety, the new Revo is designed with front and rear crumple zones with a reinforced cabin that’s fitted with side impact beams. It has seatbelts for all-time additional protection and a child-lock door mechanism and door ajar warning.

The Toyota guys really made sure that it was not going to be just another weekend for the media guys. For many, the fun all started in the morning with a fun golf tournament. Those who chose not to wake up for an early flight had a hearty lunch waiting for them and a choice of a city tour, pool or beach frolic or just a good old afternoon nap (very rare for journalists) right after. They even thought of having pasalubong (danggit and dried mangoes) pre-packed so those who did not have the patience to go to the market would have something of Cebu to bring home.

As always, Ariel de Jesus, who I fondly call my anak, was always there to make sure the spoiled motoring journalists would not have to ask for anything that they might need. I heard Danny and Ariel, together with Raymond, Jing Atienza, Charlon Alcala and the rest of the "Toyota gang of media spoilers," made sure there was an "after the launch second party" to make the night really unforgettable.

Since I was still in the process of stocking up on my energy after a recent hectic Japan trip, I had to say pass and I didn’t really know why those who went all had sheepish smiles on their faces the morning after. Knowing how wholesome these Toyota guys are as hosts, the wives and the girlfriends have no reason to be suspicious.

Happy Motoring!!!

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