MANILA: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) vowed to crack down on unscrupulous individuals extorting money from trucker groups. Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. made this assurance following a meeting with the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) and other concerned government agencies in Camp Crame on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting came as the group complained that their members were still made to pay pass-through fees, despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order for local government units (LGUs) to suspend their collection under Executive Order (EO) 41. "Andito ang kapulisyahan, magtutulong tulong ang mga pulis para mahuli ang mga nangongotong na ito. Sayang naman itong EO na lumabas, dahil sa ilang tao, nasisira ito (The police are here. The police will crack down on these extortionists. It's unfortunate if this EO would be in vain because of the acts of some people, its purpose is defeated)," Abalos said in a press briefing shortly after th e meeting. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr, meanwhile, said the force would intensify its visibility to catch these individuals. 'I am taking this opportunity to make an announcement and stern warning. Whether these culprits are cops or local government employees, let's stop with these illegal things because we will not be lenient once we catch you," Acorda said in Filipino. Abalos, meanwhile, clarified that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as well as Manila and Quezon City, are not implementing any truck ban. The DILG chief also said they have set a one-month timeline for the implementation of these measures. MMDA chair Romando Artes, meanwhile, said they would talk to LGUs to iron out issues regarding the matter as some cities ban the entry of trucks on roads within their jurisdiction due to various reasons. CTAP president Maria Zapata, meanwhile, expressed hope that all LGUs and local chief executives would comply with the EO, which she said was aim ed at promoting ease of doing business and helping ease rising commodity prices. Source: Philippines News Agency
