DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11 to man the traffic and provide security along Diversion Road (Carlos P. Garcia Highway) where series of vehicular accidents had transpired last week, rejecting the proposed outpost of the Traffic Management Center (TMC).
The HPG 11, on the other hand, accepted the mayor’s order and planned to zero in on areas where the recent accidents transpired.
“Hindi ako satisfied on what’s going on. Ibigay ko na sa HPG but I have told the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and police, huwag kayo sumali diyan kasi alam mo naman yang long stretch ng Diversion Road ay madilim. Kelangan mo ng armas diyan. So pag may nangyari diyan, I can pinpoint the HPG,” Duterte told reporters in an interview at the Grand Men Seng Hotel on Monday evening.
Duterte gathered the heads of the HPG, LTO, DCPO, and TMC and discuss about the series of vehicular accidents along Diversion Road.
He said the recent road accidents are “not a question of speed.”
He said if he may suggest, all drivers must take an intelligence quotient (IQ) test.
“IQ is not dependent sa education. It’s all about a reasonable man or a driver knowing what he’s supposed to do,” Duterte said.
Duterte said the HPG should start securing the highway immediately.
He also said there is no need to put up more warning devices.
He said the proposed outpost at a junction of the Diversion Road may be a help to warn motorists, but it might not be enough.
“I want apprehensions there. They tend to overspeed sa gabi. They’d like to think that nobody is manning there,” Duterte said.
In a separate interview, Chief Insp. Ricky Camisola, HPG 11 deputy regional chief, said the HPG-Davao City has a total of eight personnel who will look out the long stretch of Diversion Road.
“Magko-concentrate kami sa traffic-accident prone area. Lalo na yung pinangyarihan ng accident,” Camisola said.
Aside from the implementation of the speed limit, the HPG will also secure the highway against carnapping.
