Stricter security measures on EDSA Busway sought

MANILA, Philippines — Stricter security measures will be enforced on the EDSA Busway after a man with a knife ran amok last Monday and chased a traffic marshal at the Ortigas Avenue Station of the EDSA Carousel.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade called on law enforcement agencies to immediately enforce tighter security measures and urged the riding public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

“The security and safety of our commuters are of utmost importance. We at the DOTr are not only tasked to provide the public with convenience in their everyday commute,” Tugade said.

His concerns were raised following the incident involving a marshal of the Interagency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) and a reportedly mentally disturbed man with a knife who had been asking money from commuters and threatening them.

The man, identified only as “Ariel,” chased I-ACT marshal SN2 Julius Gibran Abundol III of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Team Barracuda with a knife, but was eventually disarmed and subdued with the help of responding elements of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group.

“I am urging the I-ACT, and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group to intensify security measures to protect our commuters at every stage of their daily commute using our public transportation systems,” Tugade said.