MMDA on EDSA traffic jam: It's PNP's fault

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino on Thursday pinned the blame on the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the closure of the EDSA’s northbound lanes from Shaw Boulevard to Santolan Avenue on Wednesday which caused slow crawling traffic and many commuters forced to walk.

Tolentino said the order to close EDSA from Shaw Boulevard to Santolan came from the PNP with security for those attending the “People Power” celebration as the main reason.

“Alam naman natin na every February 25 e ganun yun nagklo-closure. As early as Sunday nilabas na natin yung ruta jung bago magsimula yun naglabas na tayo  altdrnate routes. Pero lahat po ito ay bahagi ng preparasyon ng Philippine National Police. So yung PNP-NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) ang nagdetermine ng gaano kahaba, gaano kalayo at anong direksyon,” Tolentino told reporters.

Tolentino said police even arrested a man at the Ortigas footbridge at about 3 pm on Wednesday for carrying a gun. Police also discovered an abandoned black bag near the EDSA Shrine.

“May mga bagay na 'di ma-idiscuss sa public pero ang priority kahapon ay yung security concern. Halimbawa alas tres ng hapon nakahuli na tayo ng sang taong may baril dun sa footbridge ng Ortigas. Merong isang bag na itim na iniwan din dun sa EDSA Shrine. Kaya yung nga naging paghahanda natin, baka sabihin ng pulis, e oa o over pero palagay ko naman walang nasaktan kahapon. Bahagi rin yan ng preparasyon para magkaroon ng peaceful celebration,” he said.

Tolentino added that the closure of EDSA and the strict security measures have prevented a security concern from not happening during Wednesday’s EDSA People Power celebration.

“Merong mga ibang nagtangka na hindi natuloy kahapon. Kung anuman yung gagawin, di ko masasabi. Basta merong mga napreempt kahapon,” he said.

Tolentino said there were some security concerns last Wednesday that were not present during the past People Power celebrations.

“May mga events  na nangyayari ngayon na wala naman nung isang taon. Alam niyo na siguro yung tinutukoy ko,” he said.

Tolentino said the PNP, aside from ordering that EDSA’ northbound lanes be closed between Shaw Boulevard and Santolan Avenue, also initially wanted the lanes closed until midnight of Wednesday. The lanes were reopened by the MMDA at 3:29 p.m. 

“Ang suggestion pa nga nila hanggang midnight. So inagahan na lang yung opening kasi may mga pangyayari noong nakaraang taon, na may pangyayari ngayon na wala naman noong nakaraang taon,” he said.

Tolentino said the MMDA is taking the public flak over the EDSA lanes closure in stride.

“Okay lang yun. Ok lang yun. Kasi kung mare-realize nila yung security reasons palagay ko mauunawaan nila yun. Sa nagba-bash, naunawaan ko kayo pero sorry dun sa nangyari kahapon. Sana maunawana niyo rin kami na prayoridad ay yung security concerns. Peace and order pa rin,” Tolentino said.

On Wednesday, motorists found themselves locked in slow traffic along EDSA on Wednesday as the MMDA closed the northbound portion of the highway from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong to Santolan Avenue in Quezon City for the 29th EDSA People Power celebration.

The affected portion of EDSA was closed-off to traffic at Tuesday midnight and was only re-opened at 3:29 p.m. on Wednesday. The MMDA said information about the EDSA lane closure was released on Tuesday afternoon in a public advisory.