Netizen report: Driver pushes, shouts at MMDA traffic aides

MANILA, Philippines – On Saturday, June 27, MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, received an email from a concerned netizen about a traffic altercation caught on video which has gone viral.

In the video posted by Facebook user Redpolstar Aguilar Factor, a driver is seen shouting at traffic enforcers along Commonwealth Avenue. The son of 52-year-old traffic aide Renato Villafuerte, whom the driver pushed during the altercation, told MovePH the incident happened earlier this week. 

Robert James Villafuerte told Rappler he asked his father about the incident after he saw the viral video. His father told him the altercation happened on June 25 after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers apprehended the driver.  

According to Robert James, his father told him the traffic enforcers tried not to be baited into a fight with the driver who was allegedly drunk.

“Sige, kung kaya ‘nyo akong huliin, habulin ‘nyo ako hanggang sa bahay para makilala niyo ako (Try to arrest me and follow me home so that you’ll know who I am),“ the driver allegedly told the aides. 

Factor, who posted the video on her Facebook page, commented she was one of the traffic enforcers at the scene.  

“Bawal daw hawakan yung kotse nya (He said no one can touch his car),” claimed Factor.

Lawyer Crisanto Saruca Jr of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office told Rappler that MMDA is investigating the incident and is in the process of identifying the driver. 

But Saruca noted how the driver directly attacked the enforcers who tried to  keep their composure  during the altercation. 

“Parang binabatukan na yung traffic enforcer (It seemed like the traffic enforcer was  being hit). We don’t like that (to be done) to law enforcers. They deserve respect from the public,” Saruca said.

According Saruca, the MMDA may file charges against the driver, depending on the result of the probe. Auhtorities are still determining the violations he committed.

Many netizens praised the traffic enforcers, saying they conducted themselves well during the altercation.

But others noted many traffic enforcers are also guilty of mistreating mororists. (READ: What to do when a dubious traffic enforcer flags you down?)

Follow the discussion on the MovePH Facebook page:

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– Rappler.com

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