MMDA runs out of tickets for hundreds of frat riders without helmets

Members of the Metro Manila Development Authority who conducted an operation against tricycles on Commonwealth Avenue ran out of traffic violation receipts after they apprehended hundreds of fraternity members who were riding motorcycles without helmets.

According to Mark Salazar's report for "24 Oras," the massive swarm of riders were members of the Tau Gamma Phi riding group who were commemorating their golden anniversary with a motorcade along Commonwealth Avenue.

Some members were seen trying to reason with enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), but the authorities didn't budge.

"Sir, once a year lang naman 'to eh! ngayon lang naman 'to, sir. Anniversary lang namin," a rider said.

The enforcer was heard saying, "Hanggang meron kaming paniket, uubisuin namin."

The MMDA ran low on tickets after apprehending numerous tricycle drivers during their clearing operations earlier in the day.

"Sa ngayon po, wala tayong dalang tow truck kaya ticket-ticket lang muna tayo,"  an MMDA team leader, Colonel Memel Roxas, explained.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had instructed the local government to keep tricycles off of major thoroughfares. 

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago explained that aside from their effect on the traffic flow, tricycles also pose a danger to themselves when they use major roads.

"Sa bigat ng daloy ng trapiko, we cannot afford to see these tricycles in major thoroughfares. Dumadagdag ho yan eh. Unang-una, prone sila sa aksidente. Hindi sila dapat nandiyan," she said.

The MMDA said they apprehend more than 200 tricycles in a span of three months. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News