MMDA: Unannounced road closures due to Xi’s visit was PSG’s call

The unannounced closure of some roads in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and the Skyway leading to Ninoy Aquino International Airport was the call of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago issued the clarification in the aftermath of the massive gridlock that disrupted the flow of traffic to and from the airport and in BGC, as well as parts of western Manila on Tuesday .

Some of the road closures were not part of the traffic advisory issued by the government in line with the state visit of China’s President Xi Jinping.

Ano na? Standstill pa kanina dito sa NAIA Terminal 3. Hanggang kelan haharangan ng mga pulis ang daanan para sa mga VIPs? For sure daming stranded passengers. Hay buhay.@MMDA#XiJinpingPH pic.twitter.com/TLLiKyHI9F

— Mark Joseph Bautista (@MJBautistaCPA) November 20, 2018

“That was the decision of the PSG. Ang MMDA po ay for augmentation lamang,” Pialago said in a text message to GMA News Online.

“Hindi na po MMDA ang commander of traffic flow yesterday. We were all getting instructions from PSG,” she added.

Rex Varona posted on his Facebook account around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, that the Skyway leading to NAIA was abruptly closed. The photos he posted showed people walking with their suitcases along the Skyway as vehicular traffic was no longer moving.

“20 Nov 2018, Skyway. Kilometric line of cars stuck at the Skyway on way to NAIA because the expressway was unceremoniously locked down ‘so that the Chinese President Xi can pass’. No advisories. No one knows for how long,” Varona said.

“Many passengers forced to walk, luggage and all, along the Skyway hoping to catch their flights. sacrifice the welfare of thousands, for the convenience of one. kowtow; no public accountability.”

Because Xi stayed at a hotel in BGC, roads were also closed in the area.

The MMDA issued a traffic advisory involving BGC and Taguig Area, but only at around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. It did not say that the Skyway will be closed.

The initial advisory on road closures due to Xi’s visit was released ahead of his arrival and only covered the City of Manila. It said that the Southern Police District will monitor the places the Chinese head of state will visit in Makati City and Taguig City.

In November 2015, Davao City Mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte cursed Pope Francis as road closures that were implemented during the papal visit in January that year resulted in massive traffic jams.

“Gusto kong tawagan. ‘Pope, p___ ina ka, umuwi ka na. ‘Wag ka nang magbisita dito,” Duterte said at that time. —VDS, GMA News