Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangay officials to closely monitor the Philippine National Railways (PNR) tracks following the deployment of brand new PNR trains and arrest thugs who will blatantly cause damage to the trains.
“Makikinabang ang publiko sa mabilis at maginhawang pagbibiyahe nila sa mga bagong tren ng PNR. Inaatasan ko ang ating kapulisan at ang mga barangay officials na nakatalaga malapit sa dinadaanan ng tren na maging mapagbantay at siguruhing hindi mapipinsala ang mga tren na ito para matagal pang magamit at mapakinabangan ng publiko,” Año said.
“Nakakalungkot na may mga taong sadyang mapaminsala at sinasabotahe ang mga proyekto ng pamahalaan tulad ng PNR trains kaya sa oras na mahuli sila ng ating kapulisan at mga taga-barangay, kalaboso aabutin nila,” he added.
Año made the pronouncement after reports of stone-throwing incidents took place recently damaging the front glass windshield of the new PNR trains. He said that it’s alarming that it was not an isolated case but has become a common incident in Metro Manila.
“Leave our new PNR trains alone. Makisama naman po tayo, para po ito sa kapakinabangan ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Ang paninira sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan ay labag sa batas at sinumang mahuli sa akto at mapatunayang may sala ay mananagot. Huwag na po natin itong paabutin pa doon,” he said.
He said that the new Indonesian-made PNR trains that run from Tutuban in Manila to Los Baños, Laguna are a welcome relief to the commuting public who have long lamented for a better transportation service and “damaging the trains in any manner is counter-productive and anti-progressive.”
He said that the police force and barangay officials will not hesitate to arrest individuals or groups who will be caught red-handed no matter what age or social status they may be. “Wala tayong palulusutin.” he added. “There are reports that these stone-throwers are young people who are doing it for sheer fun. May mga report naman na ito ay mga residente din ng komunidad. We will arrest whoever will be behind this stupid act,” Año warned. He further urged the barangay officials to be on top in ensuring that the new trains will be far from damages caused by deliberate acts of “people who have nothing better to do but to destroy well-meaning government projects.”
“Teritoryo ninyo ang mga barangay kaya kayo ang mas madaling makakaresolba rito,” he said.
The DILG Chief also encouraged the citizens of the community to be observant and keep an eye on the trains and report to the barangays those whom they have witnessed had inflicted damage on the trains.
“Tulong na po natin ito sa ating pamahalaan. Alagaan po natin ang mga bagong tren na ito sapagkat ito po ay para sa inyo. I-report ninyo po ang mga makikita ninyong paninira sa ating mga tren,” he said. (PR)
