Cops tighten security as Manila students return to schools

As they tightened security in the city's vital installations and university belt area, Manila police on Monday urged students returning from their Christmas vacation not to show off their new gadgets. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the Manila Police District (MPD) warned students that snatchers and muggers are on the prowl for victims as classes resume this week. MPD head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said he has ordered more personnel to keep watch over the University Belt and tourist areas in the city. However, he said the students must do their part not to attract thieves even though the police will be on alert in the university belt. He also ordered that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in those areas be activated and closely monitored. Traffic snarled Earlier Monday, traffic on the first working day of the new year was snarled in Metro Manila's major thoroughfares as vacationers returned from the provinces early on Monday. In Quezon City, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported traffic was clogged near the Araneta Bus Terminal as buses brought vacationers back to Metro Manila. However, portions of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), along with service roads in Cubao, were clogged as taxis and jeeps parked there to wait for the passengers disembarking from the buses. The report quoted dispatchers at the Araneta Bus Terminal as saying they expect that the traffic will be heavy near bus terminals for the rest of the week. In Pasay City, dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported that provincial bus terminals were similarly clogged as taxis and jeeps waited for passengers. The clogged roads included the Magallanes and Pasay Rotonda areas, as well as roads leading from the bus terminals to Roxas Boulevard and Buendia Avenue in Makati City. – VVP, GMANews.TV