Manila to use tire clamps in intensified campaign vs. illegal parking

(Updated 8:52 p.m.) Following the suspension of towing services in Manila due to complaints of alleged abuses, the local government has resorted to using tire clamps in its campaign against illegal parking, a report on “24 Oras” said Friday.

According to Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau Chief Carter Logica, there will be no sacred cows in their new intensified campaign against illegal parking.

“Wala po tayong pinipili. Tulad ng sinasabi ni pangulong Mayor Joseph Estrada na kahit mahuli ang kamag-anak niya o anak o asawa niya, basta nagkamali sa batas trapiko ay hulihin,” he said.

To show they were serious about the implementation of the new scheme, Logica and his team put tire clamps on cars supposedly owned by government employees that were seen parked illegally on Manila streets.

Owners of these vehicles will have to pay a P900 fine at the Manila City Hall before the clamps are removed, the report said, citing Logica.

The tire clamps are usually attached on a car's front wheels to lock them. Attempts to forcefully remove them may damage the tires, the report said.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said there was no need for violators to park illegally since there are parking spaces in various parts of the city.

"Kung iikot ho kayo sa Malate area, to support our businesses there, may mga portion na pinaparadahan natin. Meron naman pong paradahan sa Robinson. Katabi lang 'yun ng Supreme Court at DOJ. May mga private parking naman, may mga open spaces na nago-operate ng parking," Moreno said.

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza approved an ordinance connected to tire clamping in 2005, the report said. —Andrei Medina and Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News