SPECIAL OPS GROUP. Members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's Special Operations Group stand in attention on Tuesday (Nov. 28, 2023) as they get briefed by Assistant General Manager for Operations Assistant Secretary David Angelo Vargas. The group will go after violators of the exclusive EDSA bus lane. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)
MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority launched Tuesday a restructured operations group that will go after violators of the exclusive EDSA bus lane.
The Special Operations Group will be under the direct supervision of Assistant General Manager for Operations Assistant Secretary David Angelo Vargas and deputy officer-in-charge Gabriel Go.
The apprehending officers will have body-worn cameras with them, Vargas said.
"Our body-worn cameras are connected to our Communications and Command Center and its feed cannot be edited and the device cannot be turned off, as well," he said.
"This also eliminates hearsays and he-said-she-said arguments."
Vargas said the imposition of steeper fines on the exclusive lane's violations has been effective, resulting in a decline of apprehended motorcycle riders and drivers.
As of 9 a.m., 41 EDSA bus lane violators, mostly motorcycle riders, have been issued citation tickets.
During the first week of the implementation of higher fines last Nov. 13, there were 1,262 motorists apprehended as compared to 345 last week. (PNA)
