Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Sixty members of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), a unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP), were trained on Thursday (September 3) by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
This was to prepare them for their big day on Monday (September 7), when they take over the traffic management of EDSA.
Related: HPG takes over EDSA traffic management on Sept. 7
Some HPG personnel admitted that they needed the refresher course on MMDA’s traffic rules and regulations.
The HPG members said they would focus on the major causes of congestion on EDSA’s six major chokepoints — Taft Avenue, Guadalupe, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas, Cubao, and Balintawak.
While some people have high hopes for the HPG on its new assignment, some still have doubts.
The unit was involved in issues of extortion or “kotong” before, affecting their credibility.
But HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said he would make sure this won’t happen again.
“We are prepared to counter that probable incident that may happen regarding the kotong aspect,” Gunnacao said.
“We are having a so-called periodic rotation of our personnel in order for us to prevent the familiarization of our law enforcers as well as those sectors who are involved in transportation because, as we have said, familiarity breeds contempt.”
Gunnacao added that he would be assigning audit officers, who would also be on rotational schedule, to supervise the personnel on the field.
“This anti-kotong operation of ours is one of the emphasis of our chief PNP during his speech, that if ever you’re a policeman, you have to do your job properly. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences,” he said.
He added that erring policemen would be punished.
The HPG said it hopes that motorists in EDSA will be cooperative, so everyone could finally experience better traffic in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare.
