Maserati driver: I’ll file charges vs MMDA man

MANILA, Philippines – The businessman accused of assaulting a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer gave his version of the incident that, he said, had “deeply hurt” him and his family.

In a statement released by his lawyer on Friday night, November 28, Joseph Russel Ingco said he will file cases against Jorbe Adriatico for physical injuries, grave threats, libel, and a civil case for damaging his reputation.

Ingco said that when he was pulled over by Adriatico on Thursday, he did not make an “illegal left turn” as claimed by the MMDA traffic enforcer but a “legal U-turn.”

“I gave no cause for him to arrest me. I was surprised why he was taking a video of me,” he said.

He said Adriatico asked him what his problem was, to which Ingco replied: “May problema po ba?  Hindi naman ako nag-left turn. Bakit nyo po ako vini-video? (Is there a problem? I didn’t make a left turn. Why are you taking a video of me?)”  

“The enforcer was stopping me and he was shouting at me. I think he was arrogant and abusive but he was not asking for my license. He taunted me with his cellphone in my face. And so I hit his cellphone and it fell,” Ingco said.

He continued: “He got angry and hit me in the face. He grabbed and wrestled with my arm. He scratched my arm while pulling my shirt.  So I drive off slowly to escape from him. He did not want to let go of me. He kept on pulling on my shirt to get me out of the car. I drove off again but slowly so he will let go.”

Ingco said Adriatico would not let go of his arm, so he “tried to hit him.” His shirt came off, he said, and he finally drove off.

He said that if really wanted to hurt Adriatico, he would have sped away and let him fall to the ground.

The other story

In Adriatico’s version, the MMDA traffic enforcer flagged down the motorist for committing a traffic violation. Ingco reportedly flashed a dirty finger sign at him. Adriatico said he approached Ingco and used his phone to video him, then asked the driver to re-enact the dirty finger sign.

Adriatico said this angered the driver, who allegedly grabbed at his collar and repeatedly struck him. Ingco also allegedly held on to his collar as he started driving the car slowly, and reportedly took the MMDA enforcer’s mobile phone.

Adriatico filed charges against Ingco on Friday for serious physical injuries, direct assault against an agency or person in authority, grave threat, and robbery.

Ingco also said on Friday he has “no history or record of violence in my life.”

“I am ready to face any charges. I am a peaceful person and my family was deeply hurt especially my children after reading all the TV and social media news,” he said.

Ingco said he is set to file several cases against Adriatico for physical injuries, grave threats, libel, and a civil case for damaging his reputation.

Authorities were able to track down the businessman even when his vehicle had no license plate, since he is only one of two owners of a blue Maserati in Metro Manila. He was positively identified by Adriatico. – Rappler.com