Jeepneys now banned from routes around Malacañang

Maybe they’re taking this "close-in" security thing a little too far.

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) earned the ire of local residents and transport groups yesterday by enforcing a "no-entry" rule on all public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying the Quiapo-San Miguel route.

Commuters going to and from Malacañang Palace were left stranded at the gates, and were forced to find alternate means around the gated Palace grounds.

The move by the PSG comes a few days after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s security detail started implementing stricter security checks on visitors leaving Malacañang, citing a need to crack down on pilfering within the Palace.

Enraged PUJ drivers yesterday were caught off-guard by the stricter access rules, as their jeepneys were stopped at the PSG checkpoint on Arlegui street.

Commuters and residents in and around the Palace grounds were made to either walk the rest of the way or hail manual pedaled tricycles (pedicabs) at P10 per passenger to their destinations.

PUJs were restricted from plying the route passing the Palace through J. P. Laurel street, and were made to turn around at the Technological Institute of the Philippines on Arlegui street.

Traffic for the Quiapo-San Miguel jeepneys plying the partly residential Malacañang grounds has been traditionally allowed, ever since 1986 when former President Corazon Aquino opened Malacañang to the public — a move to bring the presidency closer to the people after the strong-arm rule of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Even after a series of failed coup attempts, Mrs. Aquino never closed public traffic inside Malacañang to PUJs.

William Alutang, a member of the Quiapo-San Miguel drivers and operators association, denounced the PSG move, saying it violated the transport group’s franchised routes. He questioned the explanation by PSG sentry guards that they were simply enforcing the regulations of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

"How can the MMDA enforce that traffic rule when our franchise route was granted to us by the LTO (Land Transportation Office)?" he argued.

"Some of them (the PSG) were even telling us that the PUJs are security threats because they may bring in terrorists posing as passengers, and plant bombs at the Palace," Alutang claimed.

On short notice yesterday, enraged PUJ drivers staged a street protest, lining up their jeepneys in opposition to the PSG rule.

PSG forces were immediately beefed up to contain the impromptu protest by drivers and local residents.

Security has been tightened at the Palace in recent days. A few days ago, the PSG, through Army Maj. Erwin Bernard L. Neri, notified all personnel that visitors would be subjected to bag checks before entering or exiting Palace premises.

"Emphasis will be given to personal items, office supplies and foodstuffs to ensure that only authorized items will be brought out," Neri stated in a notice dated Feb. 2.

But newly promoted Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit told The STAR yesterday that the PSG was merely enforcing existing security measures that have been lax for some time.

"This is to avoid cases of pilferage of government items," Bangit said. No specific cases were mentioned, though office supplies and property were said to have gone missing.

Bangit noted that important Palace guests and visitors would not be required to submit to the exit-entry inspections.