TTMO cites strict hiring process after traffic enforcer’s drug arrest

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By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Jennifer P. Rendon

The Transportation and Traffic Management Office of Iloilo City said drug tests are a standard part of its strict hiring process for traffic enforcers, following the arrest of one of its personnel in a buy-bust operation on Monday, March 16.

TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos emphasized that the agency conducts thorough background investigations, orientation, and mandatory drug testing as part of its hiring process.

“Perhaps, right after the process of their application, there are personnel that get tempted to engage in this horrendous practice,” he said, stressing that engagement in illegal drugs constitutes grave misconduct and is strictly prohibited for government personnel.

The arrested suspect, identified by his alias Saab, 39, was a traffic enforcer assigned to the second shift in Mandurriao, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

He was apprehended at his house in Barangay Camalig, Jaro by members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit, together with the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay Lanit Team, and Iloilo City Police Station 3.

Recovered from the suspect were five plastic sachets and a knot-tied plastic pack of suspected shabu and several nondrug items.

MOONLIGHTED AS DRUG DEALER

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the seized shabu weighed around 60 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 408,000.

Police placed Saab under monitoring for about two weeks before his arrest.

Gimeno said the suspect is a newly identified drug personality whose involvement in illegal drugs became known following information from different sources.

Gimeno noted that Saab is the district leader of True Brown Style in Jaro.

“We received information that he’s been having a quite illicit relationship with young girls in their group,” Gimeno said.

Saab allegedly started by selling marijuana and later ventured into shabu.

“He could just be using his being a traffic auxiliary as a front for his illegal drug trade,” Gimeno said.

The suspect allegedly relegated the marijuana trade to a trusted ally and concentrated on the shabu business.

A traffic auxiliary, also known as a traffic enforcer, is a civilian employee hired by a local government unit to assist in managing traffic flow and enforcing local traffic ordinances, a position that in this case may have provided the suspect with a visible public presence that helped conceal his alleged drug activities.

Garbanzos said Saab will be automatically terminated and confirmed that he has already recommended the suspect’s termination.

“I hope this will be the last that a personnel from the traffic office will be involved in the illegal drug trade,” he said.

On Tuesday, the TTMO conducted random drug testing on over 400 police auxiliaries, green guards, and personnel of its special services division, which Garbanzos said is part of its “internal cleaning activities.”

“This development prompted us to review our personnel and their connections. We have received information suggesting that some staff may be involved in illegal drug activities, which led to an internal investigation,” Garbanzos added.

If it is confirmed that other personnel are involved with illegal drugs, Garbanzos said the TTMO will cooperate with the Philippine National Police in its anti-drug operations.

Saab is under the custody of Iloilo City Police Station 3 and will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Under RA 9165, the sale and possession of dangerous drugs carry penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death, depending on the quantity involved.