Non-essential vehicles traversing EDSA ticketed, driver's licenses confiscated

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) went full force on Wednesday after a large volume of vehicles continued to travel along EDSA amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Drivers of non-essential vehicles or those who had no business to travel were ticketed and had their licenses confiscated by authorities, according to a Dobol B sa News TV report by Allan Gatus.

The MMDA and the PNP-HPG asked the private vehicles and motorcycles to move to the side of EDSA for questioning.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PNP-HPG director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz said the monitoring will focus on areas where vehicles build up.

He said their checkpoints will change locations depending on the traffic situation.

"Halimbawa, makakita kami ng isang lugar na napakarami nang sasakyan. Magche-checkpoint po kami diyan to ask kung sila ay authorized person outside residence,” he said.

Cruz reminded motorists that those violating quarantine measures will be penalized with a fine.

Cruz: Lahat ng violations may multa.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 15, 2020

Some motorists presented their quarantine passes during the inspection.

Cargoes and ambulances, meanwhile, were allowed to pass EDSA's inner lane.

The HPG will continue to make the rounds in other parts of EDSA after the clampdown on vehicles near Annapolis, Quezon City.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na dito sa Metro Manila, sundin po natin ang guidelnes ng IATF tungkol sa authorized person outside of residence," Cruz said.

Earlier, MMDA special traffic and transport zone head Bong Nebrija called on local government units to address the noticeable increase in the volume of vehicles plying EDSA.

Nebrija said an unusual buildup of vehicles was observed near Balintawak and Nepa Q markets over the weekend.

“It means na marami sa ating mga tao hindi nag-o-observe ng ECQ,” he said.

The enhanced community quarantine being implemented in Luzon to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 is in effect until April 30. —Jamil Santos and Joviland Rita/AOL/KG, GMA News