SAF sends men to reinforce HPG on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — Some new recruits of the Special Action Force are reinforcing the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in manning traffic on EDSA.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said Thursday that only the PNP-SAF has so far responded to the HPG's call for more cops to be deployed in managing traffic along the metro's major thoroughfare.

Gunnacao said the HPG plans to increase the shifts of personnel from two to three to man EDSA.

"Kailangan po magdagdag ng tao," Gunnacao said in a dzMM interview.

Gunnacao said some 30 members of SAF are now undergoing instruction and training on traffic rules and regulation.

The management of EDSA traffic was turned over from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to the HPG on Monday. While the HPG's first day was lauded for the relatively freer traffic flow, it was blamed for hours-long gridlock Tuesday night that causing many commuters to reach their homes early Wednesday morning.  — Camille Diola