HPG all set for traffic management

MANILA, Philippines - The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it is ready to resume its traffic management functions on EDSA on Monday as it sternly reminded motorists of both private and public utility vehicles to follow traffic rules and regulations on the 23.8-kilometer highway.

HPG director, Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao told reporters at Camp Crame that the HPG police officers would be ceremoniously sent-off by PNP chief Ricardo Marquez from the PNP headquarters at exactly 4 a.m. on Monday.

In 1995, traffic management duties on EDSA was transferred from the HPG to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as the HPG then focused on anti-crime operations on the highways.

“At 4 a.m. mag-formation kami sa harap ng national headquarters at kakausapin ni Chief PNP ang ating mga tropa for send-off dun sa six focal points. O choke points na kalalagyan nila,” said Gunnacao.

Gunnacao said the PNP chief has strict orders for the HPG troopers to stay clear of any extortion activity while on duty along EDSA.

“Kakausapin sila ni Chief PNP at emphasize sa kanila ang kanyang policy na no kotong.  Yung gawin lang nila ang trabaho ng tama at iwasan na malagay sa alanganin,” he said.

Gunnacao is also encouraging passengers of public utility vehicles to document the apprehension of the driver on photos and video by the HPG officer. This he said, could serve as evidence should there be an allegation of extortion against the HPG officer.

“I encourage the community, especially the commuters na kung sakaling mahuli sila, ay pwede nilang kunan ng video o picture  habang nagkakaron ng transaction ang enforcers natin at  habang kinukuha yung lisensya at habang binibigay yung ticket.  Para madocument kung ano ang nangyari talaga,” he said.

Gunnacao said the HPG officers would strictly follow the order of President Benigno Aquino III to wrap-up all apprehensions on EDSA within 30 seconds.

“Sabi nga ng Presidente, pag nanghuli ay susundin ang 30 second rule na paparahin mo, huhulihin mo. Kukunin mo ang lisensya and then ibibigay mo ang ticket. Yun lamang ang sasabihin and after that, release ang sasakyan,” he said.

“Wala na yung kwentuhan pa o anumang usapan pa na kung saaan nagkakaron ng suspetsa ang mga mamamayan na  mayroong negosasyon na nangyayari. So para maiwasan ang suspetsa na yan, ang gagawin natin ay 30-second rule,” Gunnacao added.

According to Gunnacao, the HPG would be deploying 96 officers on Monday to the six choke points on EDSA. The officers would be deployed on two eight-hour shifts starting at 5 a.m. This means that there would be eight HPG officers stationed at each of the six choke points. Gunnacao said the HPG officers at each choke point would be assisted by two non-HPG police officers who would augment police visibility in the area.

“Initially, magpapakalat tayo ng 96  highway patrol members.  Pero meron din tayong katulong na local police ng district. Sila ang magpo-provide ng police presence or police visibility dun sa anim na chokepoints na itinalaga sa atin,” he said.

Gunnacao said the HPG officers at each choke point would have motorcycles and patrol cars to chase and apprehend erring motorists and to conduct a roving check of the traffic situation.

“Meron tayong mga motorsiklo sa mga chokepoints at meron din tayong roving na motorsiklo para ma-check at ma-determine ang mga lugar na nagko-cause ng traffic,” he said.

Gunnacao added that each HPG officer would be carrying with him traffic violation tickets issued both by the MMDA and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The tickets issued by the LTO carry higher fines for traffic violations as stated under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01. According to Gunnacao, it would be for the apprehending HPG officer to decide which ticket to issue.

“Ang patakaran ng LTO, once na hinuli mo, kukunin mo ang lisensya. Sa LTO mo tutubusin yun. Kung ticket ng MMDA, sa MMDA mo tutubusin. ‘Pag nakitang matigas ang ulo ng driver, yung LTO ticket ang gagamitin para mabigat ang penalty. Pero ‘pag nakitang sumusunod naman, yung sa MMDA ang gagamitin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gunnacao is warning motorists that any attempt to bribe the HPG officers would mean being arrested and a possible jail time of between six years to 12 years.

“Dun sa mga motorista na mahilig magsuhol, mag-bribe, tandaan po ninyo na kasama sa order ni Chief PNP at ng Presidente na kung sino man ang manunuhol ay kasama po sa aarestuhin yun.  Ang bribery ay minimum of six years to one day to 12 years in prison,” he said.

Gunnacao said the HPG has also placed measures to make sure that no extortion activity will happen on EDSA starting on Monday.

“Yang mga panganba na yan ay napaghandaan na natin. Kinuha ko ang commitment ng ating mga pulis na ipatupad lang ang batas na kailangang gawin namin. Meron tayong 30-second rule. At  meron tayong periodic rotation ng mga tao. Depende sa assessment. Usually it would be a three-day rotation or a weekly rotation. Depende sa aspeto. Para maiwasan ang familiarization ng enforcers sa mga stakeholders. Dito nagsisimula ang kotong. And finally, may mag-au-audit or inspectors na titingin kung ginagawa ng mga pulis natin ang tama. Ang mga inspectors ay magro-rotate din at officer-led,” he said.

Gunnacao added that HPG officers accused of extortion would be subjected to a speedy probe.

“Pag may complaint na pinarating sa atin, aaksyunan natin agad yan. Initially tatanggalin natin yung pulis at iimbistagahan. Mabilisang pagiimbistiga at kung nagkasala, bibigyan ng kaukulang parusa,” he said.

On Tuesday, President Aquino ordered the PNP-HPG to take the lead in traffic law enforcement along EDSA’s 23.8-kilometer stretch away from the MMDA. The President also ordered the HPG to prioritize the clearing of six identified choke points along EDSA: Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe and Taft Avenue.