MANILA, Philippines — A Catholic bishop on Thursday called on the public to give a chance to personnel of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to manage traffic in Metro Manila, particularly along the stretch of EDSA.
Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz made the appeal after President Benigno Aquino III ordered the PNP-HPG policemen to handle and man traffic in the metropolis.
"I would be willing to give them the chance, the policemen, to do their assigned job. Mabuti na lang ngayon palang nabanggit na 'yung sa 'kotong cops' baka naman ito ay magbibigay ng signal kung maaari pagbutihan nila," Cruz told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
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The prelate said he expects traffic policemen will do their duty in to ease traffic snarls on EDSA.
"Huwag sana natin sila husgahan kaagad, hindi pa nga nila ginagawa ang bago nilang trabaho. Baka naman kahit papaano ay sakali ay bumuti naman ang kanilang paglilingkod. Tignan muna natin and malalaman naman natin in due time," the archbishop said.
Police Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, PNP-HPG spokesman, has assured motorists that traffic policemen would not be abusive.
Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that its personnel will be training policemen on basic traffic management.
PNP-HPG personnel will be taking over traffic management along EDSA starting Monday, September 7.