Travelers hit hi-way inspections

Provincial commuters traversing the North and South Luzon Expressways have voiced apprehension over the illegal searches and frisking conducted by security guards of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC), saying the Gestapo-like attitude of the guards is reminiscent of the martial law regime.

Commuters interviewed by The STAR said checkpoints have been set up by PNCC guards during nighttime at strategic locations in the two expressways purposely to catch highway robbers. Though admitting that checkpoints could thwart robberies from occurring on buses especially at nighttime, the way it is executed and implemented is very oppressive, according to the complaining commuters.

They averred the checkpoints were set up without the presence of uniformed policemen, adding the guards, brandishing long firearms, would stop buses and order the passengers to alight. Then passenger would be physically frisked, while the other guards would the board buses and inspect their bags and baggages without the presence of the owners.

"The practice is open to illegal activities. How are we sure that they would not be tempted to steal our valuables, considering that no passenger on board is there to catch them?," lamented Jing Tolentino, a frequent traveller to Bulacan.

SPO2 Virgo Villareal, a Manila policeman who goes to his home province in Pampanga thrice a week, also voiced the same predicament.

He lashed out at the guards for showing their arrogant attitude toward law enforcers. He said he has been harassed by the guards by ordering him to log his name, rank, type and serial number of his gun in the guards’ outpost.

"Are they not contented that there is a law enforcer among the passengers who would risk his life to protect the riding public in case a robbery occurs inside the bus?" Villareal asked.

He also lamented that despite introducing himself and showing his police ID, he was always made to undergo the same routine.

Chief Inspector Juanito Taluban, a veteran in setting up checkpoints during martial law, described the PNCC guards’ attitude as very oppressive and tends to antagonize the riding public, which according to him was never done even during martial law. "Such checkpoints being put up by the PNCC is violative of human rights," he said.

Checkpoints should be manned by uniformed policemen and persons should never be frisked. The passengers should not also be ordered to leave their belongings, he said. "What is proper is to allow the passengers to open their bags for them, in their presence," Taluban said.

Commuters also reported incidents of losses among their belongings after the inspection was conducted. "The PNCC guards should be sent back to school to teach them the basics of human rights," Villareal said.