HPG gets to keep more than 300 Apec vehicles

Hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting is already yielding benefits, at least for the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police.

PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao told reporters on Tuesday they would be inheriting the 211 motorcycles and 108 patrol cars bought earlier this year for the security convoy of Apec VIPs and delegates.

Gunnacao said 40 motorcycles and 20 patrol cars would remain at the HPG national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, which has been tasked to manage traffic on Edsa. The rest would be distributed among the HPG’s regional offices nationwide.

Gunnacao made the announcement at the sidelines of a boodle fight hosted by Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento for HPG personnel at Camp Crame.

Sarmiento said he wanted to thank the HPG for its “good work” on directing traffic flow on Edsa. At least 120,000 vehicles pass through the thoroughfare hourly, 30 percent over its capacity.

The figure, however, is expected to triple during the holiday season.