Fernando assured that the SCO members who were pulled out from their new duties would only be deployed on the streets if they pass the one-month retraining program sufficiently.

MMDA Executive Traffic Director Angelito Vergel De Dios said that the group was the subject of numerous complaints from passenger bus drivers and bus operators who claimed that they were treated like hardened criminals even for minor traffic offenses.

The overaggressive baton-wielding traffic enforcers were also accused of smashing side mirrors of passenger buses on three different occasions during altercations with bus drivers who choose to contest the traffic violations they were charged with.

Fernando hopes that the retraining program would orient the former SCO personnel to be more diplomatic and less confrontational in dealing with the motorists.

De Dios pointed out that the lack of adequate training in proper traffic management is the root cause of the conflict citing that they were taught to be forceful in dealing with illegal sidewalk vendors.

As a sign of good faith, the MMDA has decided to withdraw its former SCO operatives doing traffic duties to avert violent encounters with motorists most especially with passenger bus drivers.

The MMDA relinquished its apprehension of illegal vendor responsibilities in Metro Manila to the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the death of two of its members during a clash with the vendors.

Fernando also expressed exasperation for the indifference, absence of political will and lack of support from some Metro Manila mayors in the agency’s sidewalk clearing of operations.

The MMDA chairman believes that the 17,000 armed PNP personnel in the metropolis is better equipped to conduct the apprehension of illegal sidewalk vendors that the overworked and undermanned MMDA SCO crew.

Fernando said anew that the decision to hand the reigns in the arrest of illegal sidewalk vendors to the PNP is not a political ploy to woo the vendor voters to the side of the administration candidates.