Palace backs HPG's use of force against unruly EDSA traffic violators

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday backed the contingency measure that would be implemented by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) against unruly traffic violators on EDSA.

The Palace said that it sees nothing wrong with the statement of Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) spokesman Chief Inspector Oliver Tanseco that they will not hesitate to disable a vehicle by shooting its tire in case a motorist escapes from a crime.

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Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the HPG may use force in such "extreme scenarios," also noting that there had been traffic violators who assaulted law enforcers.

"Noong nakaraan, meron pang mga nasasaktang mga traffic enforcers, hindi ba 'yung binubundol pa sila o pinagbubuhatan ng kamay 'yung iba tinututukan ng sandata," Coloma said in a press briefing.

"Siguro iyon ang tinutukoy na in extreme cases dahil sila naman ay awtorisado na gumamit ng pwersa kung kinakailangan pero gumagamit pa rin sila ng katwiran sa kanilang pagganap sa tungkulin," he added.

Coloma, however, expects the public to cooperate with law enforcers as the HPG takes over the traffic management on EDSA.

"Hindi naman natin inaasahan na makikipagtalo o hindi susunod ang ating mga mamamayan," he said. Sa mahusay at resonableng pag-uusap, nakatitiyak naman tayo na magiging cooperative ang ating mga mamamayan."

"Sinasabi lang niya (Tanseco) 'yung contingent measure na kung mayroong mga hindi talaga susunod o makikipaglaban pa," Coloma added.

Last week, President Aquino approved the deployment of the HPG to serve as the lead traffic law enforcement agency on EDSA.

The HPG started managing traffic today with continuing support from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Malacañang said the HPG is doing well so far.

"Ayon sa aming mga nakuhang ulat, naging maayos sa pangkalahatan ang unang araw o unang kalahating araw ng pangangasiwa ng trapiko sa EDSA ng PNP-Highway Patrol Group," Coloma said.

"Ayon kay Secretary (Jose Rene) Almendras, marami pang kailangang bantayan dahil unang araw pa lamang ng deployment ng HPG," he also said.

Coloma urged the public to give feedback regarding the new traffic scheme.

"Kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang fine-tuning ng implementasyon ng traffic management upang mapahusay ang daloy ng mga sasakyan sa EDSA," he said.