The Philippine National Police Traffic Management Group celebrated its 63rd founding anniversary yesterday in Camp Crame. The TMG is one of the oldest operational national support units of the PNP. It was created due to the fatal vehicular accident of two congressmen in what is now the Macarthur highway on Nov. 4, 1954.
Upon its activation, the Traffic Control Group as it was originally known, was placed under the then Philippine Constabulary. The original duties of the Trafcon was the enforcement of traffic safety laws, general supervision of local police forces with regards to the enforcement of traffic laws, assistance to the Bureau of Land Transportation (now the LTO), the enforcement of driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registration and regulations with regards public carriers.
These duties have evolved over time. The original unit was composed of 12 officers and 41 enlisted personnel with 12 jeeps all coming from the 10th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Army. Within three years, however, the unit expanded to eight traffic districts nationwide with 32 new units of Ford Fairlane sedans. As the unit expanded, its reputation grew. The Trafcon was tasked to assist in various national events like the management of traffic during the 10th Boys Scout World Jamboree in Mt. Makiling, Laguna. In 1960, the motorcycle unit was organized with the now famous boots, sam brown belt and crash helmets with sun glasses which the public have grown accustomed to. This function of the TMG of escorting and managing traffic during big international events such as the Asean summit, APEC and ADB conferences continue to this day.
Today, the unit is about 1,700 strong, scattered all over the country. It is headed by Chief Superintendent Arnel B. Escobal, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy. The duties of the TMG have also increased over the years. Yes, it still issues clearances when one sells a car, change paint or engine but does not do some of the old duties like supervising local police traffic units. Its relationship both the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising Regulations Board are also no longer the same.
In Metro Manila, the Highway Patrol are only visible along Edsa, helping in the management of traffic. Its attention is now more focused on going after stolen vehicles or car napping as is more popularly known here. During the time of Mar Roxas as Secretary of Interior and Local Governments, some of the functions of the TMG were curtailed. This is perhaps the reason why TMG personnel are no longer everywhere along national highways. It was wrong of him to have than so because there is a lot of things that the TMG can do to help improve traffic conditions along our national highways.
Throughout its 63 years history, the unit has had its ups and downs. Although the ups have been many, there were a few downs like when it was involved in the now infamous Kuratong Baleleng case involving many high-ranking PNP officers. It must be said, however, that the participation of the TMG in this sordid officer was that it was the unit that initially stumbled on the plan of the dreaded gang. As we now know, the case was taken over by other PNP units until it developed the way it did. Hopefully, the TMG can continue to preserve its good traditions and adjust to the changing times but not to forget its primary mission of making our national highways safe for all our motoring public.
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Last Sunday, President Duterte was quoted by one major daily as saying that China promised to defend the country from external threats. If one scans the current geopolitical horizon, it would be hard to identify a country that poses as a threat to the country. Japan, our old WW2, adversary is now our biggest source of aid. It could not be the United States because it’s a treaty ally. It cannot be Australia, Taiwan or our Asean neighbor either. The only country as far as I know that could be a threat to the country is China. This is what I have thought ever since I joined the military service.
We have always been protected by the South China Sea. Now China is at our very door step with missiles in the reclaimed islands. They can reach us in a matter of minutes. I do understand that strategic priorities do change and perhaps China is now a friend as our President is saying but I have a hard time understanding the logic as to how China has now become a cherished friend. Since the President is the repository of all intelligence, he must know something that we do not know.
If this is the case, then the President should at least tell the nation. We are entitled to an explanation. There must be a more important reason other than the Chinese’s willingness to provide arms free of charge. Because if it is the only reason, the Chinese certainly got the better of us in the exchange.
With all the things that China has done, our government has remained quiet. The main reason is that we cannot win a war with China. No one in his right mind is advocating that the country goes to war with China. But there are other tools that can be used to assert our rights and protest unacceptable behavior. It is called diplomacy and does not require the country to go to war. If we continue to keep quiet due to “hiya” because of what China is giving us, then we are certainly on our way to becoming a Chinese province.