Re-training ordered for TMG

Newly appointed Traffic Management Group (TMG) director Chief Superintendent Errol Pan said yesterday his men would undergo re-training to avoid a repeat of a blunder that almost killed an innocent civilian in Pasig City last week.

Pan, who formally assumed office during a simple turnover rites at TMG office yesterday, said the training would focus on standard operating procedures (SOP) and basic duties for traffic enforcers.

"It’s a two-week back-to-basics program, specifically on SOPs. After completion, we expect TMG members to be more focused and more ready than before," Pan said.

Pan took over the top TMG post from Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan, who was relieved by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao after several teams from TMG-National Capital Region fired upon the car of company executive Randolph Clarito on C-5 Road last March 8.

Prior to the shooting, teams from TMG-NCR were pursuing suspected car thieves on board a silver Toyota Altis in Quezon City.

The officers lost their target during a chase on EDSA. On C-5, another TMG team fired upon a silver Toyota Vios, mistaking it for the vehicle being pursued.

A flash alarm had been raised and PO2 Mario Aresta, PO2 Renato Salinas and PO1 Jeffrey Abiad responded without knowing the details of the pursuit. The three tested positive for powder burns, indicating they were the ones who fired at Clarito’s Vios.

Pan said the re-training would help TMG members work as a team. "Ngayon, ang tingin ko parang kanya-kanya sila," he said.

Pan said the re-training, to be held in Subic, Zambales, will be handled by the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development under Chief Superintendent Joey Salvacion.

He will also go to Subic to monitor their progress.

The new TMG chief said there would be no let-up in the government’s campaign against car theft and carjacking.

Meanwhile, Angcanan described his relief as routine.

"The police organization is always looking for the right person to lead units," he said.

Director Isidro Lapeña, PNP’s chief of the Directorial Staff, said Angcanan’s four months at TMG was productive as the group was able to neutralize several car theft gangs.