Dumarao to reorient traffic enforcers after viral ticket

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Dumarao Mayor Matthew Hachuela urged the town police chief and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to conduct an orientation for Dumarao traffic enforcers after two personnel issued a citation ticket to a tricycle passenger — instead of the driver — in an incident that went viral on social media.

The incident happened Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Hachuela said he has already laid off the two traffic enforcers as a disciplinary measure.

He said he learned about the incident from his staff and immediately called the attention of the enforcers involved.

According to one of the enforcers, they apprehended a tricycle after the driver entered a “No Entry” area, or counterflowed along the street.

The enforcer said the driver failed to present a driver’s license or any identification when asked.

The driver’s female passenger, who was identified as his wife, allegedly offered to present her ID and asked that her name be placed on the citation ticket instead of the driver’s.

The two enforcers agreed, the enforcer said, after the driver pleaded that the tricycle not be impounded.

However, the citation reportedly listed “no driver’s license” as the violation, instead of counterflowing.

The situation escalated when a relative of the tricycle driver recorded the encounter and posted the video on Facebook.

The viral video showed a heated exchange between the uploader and the enforcers.

Hachuela said the enforcers may not have fully understood the implications of issuing the citation under the passenger’s name and acknowledged possible lapses in procedure.

He recommended that an orientation be held for all traffic enforcers, to be conducted by the police under Police Lt. Russel Husmalaga and personnel from the LTO.