Tension in Manila rises as Moreno leads arrests of truckers - GMA News

Erring truck drivers apprehended. A policeman assisted by Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno apprehends a truck driver who violated the left lane rule on Roxas Boulevard on Thursday night, February 27. Heavily-loaded trucks again filled the city's major streets after trucker groups suspended their 'truck holiday' early Thursday morning to give way to a three-day adjustment period laid out by Mayor Joseph Estrada. Danny Pata

Fresh from tense negotiations with traders and truckers over Manila's new truck ban, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno led police early Friday morning in arresting truck drivers plying the city's streets despite a new ban.

A cop drew a gun as one driver threatened to run him over, as others were chased down while trying to escape.

A new truck ban opposed by truckers and traders was imposed by the city to ease traffic caused by major road projects in Manila.

"Ang Maynila, kahit na gabi, may gobyerno. Gusto naming ipaalala sa inyo, sa mga driver, sa mga taga-lungsod, na ang pamahalaang panlungsod ng Maynila ay hindi natutulog," said Moreno in an interview aired on GMA News.

"Ang amin lamang po, disiplina. Wala po kaming ibang hinangad kun'di maisaayos ang nabubulok na Maynila," he added.

Moreno said motorists should expect a much stricter implementation of rules until everyone has learned to follow.

However, some motorists who were nabbed were irked by the sudden change, the television news report said.

A truck driver, who was apprehended by police for entering a road covered by the truck ban, tried to thrust his vehicle forward even as police officials were blocking his way.

A policeman drew his gun at the driver, who was then forced to stop and given a ticket.

Another truck driver, who was not in the right lane, tried to escape authorities, but police officials caught up with him. He was eventually asked to pay a fine of P5,000, the report said.

The report said trucks along Roxas Boulevard should only use the innermost lane.

Both trucks were impounded, the report added.

On Monday, the city government of Manila began implementing a new truck ban that has reaped intense opposition from traders and the trucking operators association. Truckers staged a "truck holiday," essentially a strike that kept cargo in Manila's port and crippled cargo transport to and from Manila.

The strike was lifted after Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada offered a compromise this week that would permit use of the city's roads by trucks over longer daytime hours.

Yet, some truckers still violated the policy by operating on Manila's roads past 5 a.m. when they were supposed to be off the streets. Vice Mayor Moreno and armed traffic personnel were waiting, resulting in the confrontations that occurred on Friday.

The trucks covered by the ban include cargo trucks, gravel and sand trucks, cement mixers, 8-wheelers and trucks with gross vehicle weight of at least 4,500 kilograms.

In addition, trucks are only allowed to run on roads that have at least two lanes. Violators will be fined P5,000 and their trucks could be impounded. —Amanda Fernandez/KG/HS, GMA News

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