GOVERNMENT agents apprehended more than 90 erring drivers, two of them members of the Philippine National Police, in separate operations against colorum and dilapidated public utility vehicles in cities of Pasay and Parañaque.
The latest operation by elements of Task Force Kamao of the Inter-agency Council for Traffic yielded 57 violators for smoke belching and 35 others for various violations of the government’s drive against unroadworthy PUVs.
Most of those apprehended were public utility jeepneys, buses, Asian utility vehicles, UV Express and tricycles.
I-ACT chief Thomas Orbos said eight colorum vehicles were also impounded on the spot by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
He added two of those apprehended were heavily tinted Toyota Grandia both driven by active PNP personnel—a Police Chief Inspector and a Senior Police Officer 4.
“Both vehicles driven by the two policemen were colorum vehicles and were unmarked with one even bearing a sticker of the Office of the President,” said Orbos.
The I-ACT chief withheld the names of the two police officers but he said they are now coordinating with the office of PNP chief Oscar Abayalde on the matter.
Investigation showed the Toyota Grandia vans were being used like UV Express picking up commuters.
The two police officers did not resist but attempted to talk their way out with the operatives on site. One was even in uniform and carried his service firearm.
“I am disappointed that even those we expect to abide [by] the law first will be caught red-handed.” said Orbos.
The transportation official further warned the public to stop utilizing their vehicles for public use.
“To those who are planning or using private vehicles for public use, whether you are a civilian or a law enforcement personnel, we urge you to stop that activity because I-ACT will have no let up in its campaign versus colorum vehicles,” Orbos stressed.
Orbos also reminded motorists to check the roadworthiness and legitimacy of their vehicles’ franchises to avoid being caught by the authorities.
“We are reminding our motorists to make sure that their vehicles are safe to ride on and in the case of public utility vehicles, bearing LTFRB-required markings and case numbers with appropriate legal franchises,” he said.
Orbos vowed the campaign against dilapidated public conveyances will continue until erring drivers and operators assured the government that their vehicles are roadworthy and safe for public transport.
I-ACT composed of personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority, and Department of Transportation, local government units and members of the Philippine National Police launched the “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” campaign on Jan. 8 to get rid of unroadworthy public utility vehicles plying major thoroughfares nationwide.