He issued the call after the MMDA received complaints on the buildup of vehicular traffic in areas where the Philippine National Police (PNP) had put up checkpoints as deterrent to criminality.

Although Fernando said he does not object to the putting up of checkpoints, he said the PNP, Traffic Management Group (TMG), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other law enforcement agencies should first inform the MMDA of the location of their checkpoints before setting them up.

He said uncooperative PNP, TMG and LTO officials have added to the worsening traffic woes in critical areas of Metro Manila especially during peak hours.

Fernando said no less than President Arroyo had called him over the telephone several times to inform him of the traffic snarls she had passed by.

One of the police officers of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) manning the checkpoint in Timog Avenue, Quezon City said a little public inconvenience is a small price to pay to ensure public safety.

He said checkpoints are usually placed spontaneously in specific areas to keep mobile criminal elements guessing on what routes to take.

"Giving out advance information even to the MMDA may compromise our operation to apprehend lawless elements," he said.

However, another policeman manning a checkpoint on Kalayaan Ave. in Quezon City admitted that the PNP might have erred in not coordinating with the MMDA with regards to the location of the checkpoints.

He said Fernando and his men are unlikely to have links with the underworld as he disagreed with the claims that criminals could evade arrest if police give advance information on the checkpoints to the MMDA.