Traffic chaos, part II

For the second straight day, thousands of motorists and commuters were caught in a massive traffic gridlock after anti-World Trade Organization (WTO) activists staged a protest march and rally yesterday afternoon in Manila.

The protesters, estimated at around 200,000, assembled before noon at the Welcome Rotonda and proceeded to march on España Avenue toward Plaza Miranda in Quiapo.

Similar to the situation during the prayer rally the other day, a buildup formed on Quezon Boulevard and affected all roads leading there as the protesters marched passed Quiapo at noon.

Traffic officers from the Western Police District (WPD)-Traffic Management Unit and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were deployed to help ease out the traffic jam, but efforts proved futile, police said.

Police said commuters, most of whom were on their way to provinces, were heard complaining about the anti-WTO rally, which they described as "a waste of time."

"How can they expect us to sympathize with them when they keep giving us headaches," said one motorist who was caught in traffic for almost three hours.

Police claimed the mass action was covered by permit from the Bureau of Permits but it was apparently not coordinated with the traffic authorities, who were once again caught off-guard.

Traffic flow went back to normal only when the protesters reached and assembled at Plaza Miranda later in the afternoon.

The protesters, who were joined by farmers and fishermen, called for the government to withdraw the country’s membership from the WTO.

The Crowd Dispersal Management Group (CDMG) of the WPD was deployed to ensure that the protesters do not advance to Mendiola, where they had originally planned to assemble. – Edu Punay