PNP/MMDA In Metro Manila Are Sleeping On The Job.

If you've ever used the overpass in Aurora, Cubao, you'd wonder where the government is. Okay, you might have used it, but you almost didn't find anything unusual or of concern. So what's the fuss? Well, try using it at night. That’s among the most dangerous few meters of real estate in Metro Manila. Up there, unlit and unregulated, all crooks stray: pimps; hookers; snatchers; robbers; and all else.

Last night, I nearly fell victim to these lowlife bunch. Even as I negotiated my ascent, I have had the sense that trouble awaited up there. At the end of the flight of stairs flanked, or say crowded, these hooligans. One hooker held me by the arm offering her service, and I noticed some men tugged along her. I knew I could be a target. I carried three bags: a backpack, one slung my on shoulder, and another I held by the hand; I just came from Batangas.

Up there you can’t trust anyone. Anyone you see isn’t part of backdrop, he’s part of the game plan. He won’t jump on you, others are tasked to do that. His role is to intimidate you by inaction; make you feel helpless.

I unplugged my headphones; of course you don’t want to miss any signal, and kept walking. They casually talked while they walked behind me. Quickly, I felt someone unzipping my backpack. Then I thought, it’s on. I turned to my back and caught the hooker in the act; she suddenly withdrew. Then the boys moved in, perhaps for their plan b, to rob me in that few steps before I could get to the other side of Aurora. I tucked my bag in my arm, took to the rail side of the bridge so I could see them peripherally, and walked real fast.

That was close, and I am infuriated. That could happen to my daughters, whom I just took home to Project 7 before that overpass incident. I am a taxpayer, and so are the millions who take public commute and use overpass, and we are put to peril by these idiots in the government.

These MMDA bigheads who force everyone to use their overpriced footbridges endanger us by pushing us to these unlit, crook-infested, and unguarded concrete planks. We're like gazelles being thrown into lions' dens.

MMDA should manage the safety issues of these footbridges in coordination with local governments and the PNP. Goodness, Isn't there any safe place for us? 

And where’s the PNP? Hunkered in clubs? And don’t dare give me that “Thanks for bringing that up; I haven’t heard of this” crap. PNP acting like it's not aware of this is downright outrageous. Until you get your acts together, these crooks become more and more brazen by the day, and our children are put to growing danger. They rob you with impunity, thanks to ignorance, inaction, indifference, and ineptitude of the police.

That’s why you can’t blame people who distrust cops. Rumor has it that some cops protect these bastards; As they say, all rumors always have some truth to them. 

It could be a leadership problem. Since the police top brass don't experience public commute, they're oblivious to street maladies: the very problems they're mandated to look out against and replace with peace & order. Maybe we should get these public officials to try out these routes and, once in a while, leave the obscene comfort of their chauffeur-driven cars to keep them close to the concerns of the public.

I am only talking about the Aurora Cubao footbridge, but this is true for most footbridges, including particularly, the Munoz-Roosevelt footbridge, which has seen its own generous count of robberies. And let us not forget that many robberies lead to homicide when victims resist, as if they have no right to defend their persons and properties.

I advise everyone to avoid using footbridges at night, as much as possible. If you’re taking public transport, instead of alighting at the stop across the side of the road/street where you need to be, alight past that road/street then simply walk back. That may take a little bit more of walking, but no trekking, and safer, I'll take it.

Disclaimer: I know cops and many government officials who do their jobs well; they and those who live up to their oath that I have not had the grace of knowing are NOT the subject of this writing.