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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider No extortion complaints in 'magic stoplight' viral video—Manila traffic chief

No extortion complaints in 'magic stoplight' viral video—Manila traffic chief

Published Jul 16, 2020 03:57 pm

A Manila city government official said they have not received any complaints of extortion by their traffic enforcers after a video of a broken stoplight in the city went viral. 

'MAGIC STOPLIGHT'—Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) Chief Dennies Viaje said the traffic enforcers who were seen flagging a car in the 'magic stoplight' viral video did not commit extortion, and were only manning traffic to prevent accidents. The video showed a traffic light suddenly changing color to red even when the green light had 12 seconds left. (Screenshots by Minka Tiangco/MANILA BULLETIN)

Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) Chief Dennis Viaje said even the original uploader of the video confirmed that they were not extorted by the traffic enforcers who flagged their car. 

The viral video showed the "magic stoplight" quickly changing color to red even when the green light had 12 seconds left. Three traffic enforcers were also seen flagging the car of the one taking the video. 

Viaje explained that the traffic enforcers were only manning the traffic to prevent accidents, and that traffic lights are handled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and not the city government. 

The MTPB chief lamented how the public reportedly still has a negative image of traffic enforcers despite countless attempts to reform the bureau. 

"Malungkot man isipin, iba talaga ang tingin sa enforcer. Pag nakakakita ng enforcer, akala nangongotong na (It's sad to think about it, but the public has a different view on traffic enforcers. When they see traffic enforcers, they think they will get extorted)," he said in a Facebook live broadcast Wednesday (July 15). 

"Kami po, naniniwala na mas maraming matino diyan kaysa sa salbahe (We believe there are more decent traffic enforcers out there than bad ones)," he added. 

Viaje said the MTPB still enjoys the trust of Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, who oversaw the removal of over 50 scalawag traffic enforcers. 

The MTPB chief urged the public to direct their complaints about traffic enforcers to their office at the city hall or to their official Facebook page.

He said they will not hesitate to dismiss traffic enforcers who are proven to have committed illegal actions. 

"Tinitiyak po namin na aaksyunan natin 'yan, dahil lahat naman tayo gustong makakita ng pagbabago sa Maynila (We assure everyone that we will take action on that, because we all want to see change in Manila)," he said. 

"Walang puwang ang nangongotong sa Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, maraming nangangailangan ng trabaho (There is no place for traffic enforcers who commit extortion in the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau. A lot of people out there need jobs)," he added. 

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