Three government agencies have teamed up to address rampant violations of colorum and out-of-line vehicles in Metro Manila.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Special Project Group, and the Land Transportation Office are working together to go after erring motorists.
The team earlier arrested Florencio Gumpal, a resident of Caloocan City and public utility vehicle driver, after escaping the impounding of his vehicle when he was apprehended for an out-of-line violation.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the government will not tolerate motorists and drivers who evade apprehension and assured that such individuals will be meted with penalties.
Artes added that the MMDA will enforce traffic rules and regulations to make the roads safe for everyone.
MMDA special operation group task force chief Gabriel Go narrated that the UV express driver was flagged down for plying EDSA Quezon Avenue, an area where it was not allowed to traverse.
Go also noted that the vehicle’s route was from SM North, Quezon City, to TM Kalaw in Manila, based on its body marking.
Gumpal defended himself, saying that he didn’t flee the scene and instead returned to the area but found no enforcers.
Go said Gumpal’s alibi was unacceptable, saying “he took the chance to escape when we were apprehending another colored van on the way to the impounding site.”
During the anti-colorum operation along EDSA Thursday night, the team also confiscated the licenses of the drivers of three other vehicles – a UV Express, a private van, and a bus.
The vehicles were impounded in HK Plaza, Pasay City.
