The Metro Manila Development Authority has asked the help of the National Telecommunications Commission to identify groups of motorists, especially Asian utility vehicle (AUV) drivers, which use handheld radios to warn their fellows against enforcers implementing the government’s campaign against colorum and out-of-line vehicles.
The MMDA teamed up with the National Police-Highway Patrol Group, the Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in protecting passengers and easing traffic in the metropolis, particularly on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos said out-of-line AUVs and undisciplined drivers of public utility vehicles are among the “culprits” that caused heavy traffic along Edsa. But there are groups of AUV drivers using handheld radios to inform or communicate their members to avoid apprehension.
Carlos said he will ask for additional component from the NTC to monitor the handheld radios used by the AUVs.
”We need additional component from the NTC after initial operations, others were able to avoid our enforcers. We have to check also if they have permission with NTC and if they don’t have, we will confiscate,” he said.
Carlos said the areas of operation were divulged to the members of the composite teams only minutes before the actual deployment.
“We want to make this as covert as possible, so that the operators of these illegal vehicles will be caught off guard,” he noted.
In recent operations in Quezon City, Caloocan City and Pasay City, the composite team apprehended more than 50 vehicles and among the drivers that were caught are active members of the police force and a traffic enforcer of the MMDA.
The team conducted the operation around 8 a.m. in the areas of Bonifacio Avenue and Mindanao Avenue, both in Quezon City, Monumento in Caloocan, and along Edsa in front of Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.
“We are determined not only to minimize, but to put a stop to the traffic problems caused by these colorum vehicles, which if left unattended will further cause more headaches to the general public and the authorities,” Carlos said.
Apprehended vehicles were brought to an impounding area in Taytay, Rizal. The violators will pay the corresponding fine per the Joint Administrative Order of LTO and LTFRB.
Operators of colorum buses will be fined P1 million for the first offense, P200,000 for trucks and vans, P120,000 for sedans, P50,000 for jeepneys, and P60,000 for motorcycles.
