Kotong cops back, says Atienza

Tong collection is back.

This was according to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who noted the illegal practice of tong collection among traffic policemen which cause monstrous traffic jams in the city.

"Many unscrupulous policemen have returned to their old practice of collecting grease money from jeepney and bus drivers. And this results in traffic congestion in almost all intersections in the city," Atienza said.

Atienza said drivers of public utility buses and jeepneys use every intersection in Manila, particularly Liwasang Bonifacio as their terminals. Traffic policemen seem helpless preventing drivers from this practice because they get considerable amounts of money from drivers.

Sources said the grease money gives drivers "the license" to pick up and unload passengers even in "no loading and unloading zones" without being caught and charged with traffic violations.

With this, the mayor gave newly appointed Manila traffic czar Superintendent Elmer Jamias a month to improve the flow of traffic, especially now that the Christmas season is fast approaching.

"I told him to turn down all the offers (of grease money) because if he fails to do his job (to ease traffic congestion), then he has to go," Atienza said of the appointment of Jamias as director of the Western Police District-Traffic Management Group (WPD-TMG).

Atienza tapped Jamias, former chief of the WPD-Station 5 (Ermita) to replace Superintendent Roberto dela Rosa, who apparently failed to meet the mayor’s expectations in easing traffic jams in the city.

The mayor explained that clearing up the traffic congestion in Manila is the biggest challenge for the Manila traffic chief.

Last Monday afternoon, Atienza personally directed traffic in front of the Manila City Hall, particularly the lane leading to Lagusnilad after he, himself, saw the practice of undisciplined bus and jeepney drivers, who loaded and unloaded passengers in restricted lanes.