Latest news with #MMDA
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
China sanctions Philippine leader who probed Chinese spying, contested Beijing's South China Sea claims
Francis Tolentino authored two bills that marked out the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea. The two laws, called the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed into law last November read more FILE - Philippine former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief Francis Tolentino answers questions from reporters after filing as a candidate for senator in next year's presidential elections in Manila, Philippines, on Oct. 14, 2015. AP China sanctioned a former Filipino lawmaker Tuesday over perceived 'anti-China' positions, including his authorship of bills that marked out the Philippines' territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea. Francis Tolentino, who has just finished serving his term as majority leader of the Philippine Senate, is prohibited from entering China as well as the territories of Hong Kong and Macao, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'For some time, some anti-China politicians in the Philippines have adopted a series of malicious words and deeds on issues related to China for their own selfish interests, which have harmed China's interests and undermined China-Philippines relations,' said the statement. 'The Chinese government is determined to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a statement on X Tuesday, Tolentino said he will 'continue to fight — for what rightfully belongs to our nation,' adding the sanction is a badge of honor and that no foreign power can silence him. Tolentino authored two bills that marked out the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea. The two laws, called the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed into law last November. The laws reaffirmed the extent of the country's maritime territories in the South China Sea and right to resources from these areas. The laws drew quick condemnation and dismissal of their legitimacy from China, which claims virtually all of the South China Sea. 'Any objections from China must be met with unwavering defense of our sovereign rights and adherence to lawful arbitration outcomes,' said Tolentino at the time. Tolentino also accused China of planning to interfere in the mid-term elections in May in the Philippines, and had launched an investigation into alleged Chinese espionage when he was still a senator. The Philippines government said it is aware of the sanctions. 'While these measures are legally within China's prerogative, they are not conducive to mutual efforts to restore mutual trust and improve bilateral relations,' said a statement from the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Philippines and China have been engaged in verbal and physical clashes over their claims in the offshore region. Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the disputed sea have become increasingly common in the past two years, with the Philippine side publicizing videos of Chinese boats firing water cannons.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
Suspected NCAP CCTV cable thieves nabbed
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said that two persons suspected of stealing cables from its CCTV for the agency's no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) have been nabbed. According to Sam Nielseb's report on Super Radyo dzBB on Friday, the two suspects were nabbed after returning to the EDSA-Guadalupe overpass in Makati City to possibly gather more cables. FLASH REPORT: 2 suspek sa pagnanakaw ng fiber optic cable ng CCTV camera ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sa Makati City, nahuli na ng mga awtoridad. | via @dzbbsamnielsen — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 27, 2025 Makati City Police chief Police Colonel Reycon Garduque said that theft charges have been lodged against the two persons. The suspects were able to identify the junk shop that bought the cables, where authorities were able to retrieve the remainder of the stolen items. The cables will be used as evidence in the case against the suspects. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
Thief steals cables of NCAP cameras in Makati — MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said the cables of some cameras used in the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati City were stolen. According to Joseph Morong's '24 Oras' report, CCTV footage showed a man stealing the cables on the Guadalupe EDSA Overpass last June 20. The MMDA said it only found out when the CCTV did not work during a test on Tuesday. A total of eight CCTV cameras had their cables cut. The theft seems to be a common scenario as signages were put up, warning the public of the illegal act and that the cables are made of fiber optics and not copper, which could be sold in junk shops. 'Mahal po yung kable ng mga wires. Mukhang ibebenta po yung kable rather than galit sa NCAP (the wires are expensive. It's more of they would sell the cable rather than being mad at the NCAP),' MMDA chairman Romandao Artes said of the suspect's possible motive. The MMDA has reported the case to the Philippine National Police for investigation. The agency also expressed concern over the recent incident since this could give others the idea to cut the NCAP cables. 'Lalagyan na namin siya ng harang to protect the cameras. Tandaan nyo pag nanira kayo ng property o kumuha kayo ng property, may penalty yan sa batas and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted,' Artes said. (We will put a barrier to protect the cameras. Remember, if you steal or destroy property, you will face a penalty, and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted.) The MMDA said NCAP cameras help maintain public safety on roads, especially with the recent number of road accidents around Metro Manila. Based on the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, EDSA and C-5 Road logged the most recorded road incidents in Metro Manila in 2024, with over 8,000 incidents for each thoroughfare. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Avenue, which was previously considered a 'killer highway,' placed third with over 5,000 road accidents. 'I don't want to call any street a 'killer highway'. Make these roads safe, not just these roads na maraming accident kundi lahat ng roads sa (with many accidents but all roads in) Metro Manila for all,' Artes said. According to the MMDA, congestion could be the reason for the many accidents along EDSA, while poor lighting is a possible factor along the C-5 Road. When NCAP was reimplemented, MMDA said the number of road accidents along EDSA went down by 18% and 30% along Commonwealth Ave. Aside from NCAP, the MMDA is also looking into lowering the speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour, but many factors still need to be balanced before it can be implemented. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated New
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
EDSA logs most road accidents in NCR for 2024
EDSA logged the most recorded road accidents in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila in 2024, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). In a social media post by GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong on Thursday, he said that MMDA reported a total of 8,873 road accidents along EDSA. C-5 Road placed second with the most vehicle crashes, with 8,675, followed by Commonwealth Ave. with 5,091 road accidents. Quezon Avenue (2,883) and Roxas Boulevard (1,659) were also among the roads with the most accidents in Metro Manila. They were followed by Marcos Highway (1,358) and Radial Road 10 (660), respectively. The latest data was shown during the MMDA Metro Manila Road Safety Summit 2025. –VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
MMDA mulls narrower bike lane, wider motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Ave.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday it plans to propose the reduction of the width of the bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue to provide more space for motorcycle riders. MMDA director for traffic enforcement Vic Nuñez said that ever since the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) resumed last month, there has been overcrowding along the exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue, especially during rush hours. With this, he said that the MMDA has come up with several proposed interventions to ease the woes of riders: -Reduce the width of the existing bike lane to create additional space for the existing motorcycle lane; -Shift the fourth private lane from the MRT-7 to the right beside the PUV lane; -Remove the existing bike lane to provide additional space to the existing motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue; -Reconfigure the current bike lane and redesignate it to establish a dedicated lane for motorcycle taxis and similar vehicles Nuñez said that the widening of the motorcycle lane may be possible as long as the existing bike lane still has enough space for cyclists, ranging from five meters or wider. 'Sa motorcycle lane, ang travel time mababawasan ng 11%, ang travel speed [madadagdagan ng] 12%. Due to the additional lane width for the motorcycle lane, it will accommodate more motorcycles,' he explained. (The travel time along the motorcycle lane will be reduced by 11%, while the travel speed will increase by 12%.) 'Sa motorcycle lane, travel time ay 36% ang decrease, ang travel speed ay 63% [ang increase]. The wider lane significantly improves traffic flow by accommodating more motorcycles,' the MMDA official added. MMDA chairman Romando Artes, however, pointed out that they will still have to coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Quezon City local government regarding their proposals. He also underscored the importance of road sharing and providing cyclists a path along Commonwealth Avenue where they can safely use their bicycles. 'Ang bicycle lane hindi kami nagde-decide. 'Yung sinasabi niyo po na bicycle lane, trap 'yan, nilagay namin dahil gusto namin na ma-tempt kayo na pumasok para may penalty, hindi po. Hindi namin programa ang bicycle lane at hindi kami ang solo nagde-decide,' Artes explained. (We're not the ones deciding on the bicycle lane. It's not true that we use the bicycle lane as a trap to give you penalties when you cross it. The bicycle lane is not our program and we are not the only ones deciding on that.) The NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it anew. The NCAP uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras, and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws. Violators can pay fines online or at the MMDA office, and they can also contest their supposed violations caught under the policy.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
