No major concerns noted in CITOM-PNP buddy system

CEBU, Philippines - No major concerns were noted a day after the CITOM-PNP buddy system was implemented.

City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) executive director Atty. Rafael Christopher Yap told The Freeman they will conduct initial assessment of the new system of manning traffic in Cebu City at the end of the week.

He added that as of yesterday afternoon, no unpleasant news was relayed to him regarding the tandem presence of CITOM and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel at the 14 areas earlier identified by CITOM.

"Na-briefing namo ni Joy (Tumulak) sila 28 new PNP assigned at traffic group this (Monday) morning and they will also be issued citation tickets," Yap told The Freeman.

Identified hotspots at the north district include the uptown area until Cardinal Rosales Avenue and Gorordo Avenue, Sudlon to Salinas Drive in Lahug, Cardinal Rosales corner Escario right below the flyover at the Cebu Business Park all the way to Grand Convention Center area, the rest of Escario street, provincial Capitol going to Osmeña Boulevard stretch, General Maxilom Avenue, Juan Luna Avenue and F. Cabahug street to St. Benedict School, Carreta, and Talamban proper.

South district areas identified to be in need of police visibility along with CITOM enforcers are those near the flyover in Barangay Mambaling, C. Padilla St. to the South Road Properties (SRP), V. Rama Avenue, South-bound Natalio Bacalso Ave. to Tagunol, Bulacao, F. Llamas St. and Tres de Abril St. to Barangay Tisa.

Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Banilad, where traffic enforcer Armando Daligdig was shot earlier this month, is among those areas considered as hotspots.

The buddy system has been introduced to by Cebu City Police Office chief Mariano Natu-el, Jr. before the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) at the city hall even before Daligdig was shot dead following a heated argument with an armed traffic violator.  (FREEMAN)