Maserati owner who assaulted MMDA man ready to face charges

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The driver and owner of a blue Maserati who allegedly assaulted a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer told police Friday, November 28, that he is ready to face the charges against him. 

“[Joseph Russel Ingco’s] lawyer, Ian Ludovice, relayed to us that his client is ready to face the case. But I told the lawyer that it’s better if his client comes to my office himself to explain what happened,” Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said in an interview on DZEC. 

Ingco allegedly accosted Adriatico for violating a traffic signal. Things turned sour shortly after Ingco was pulled over, and reportedly flashed a dirty finger sign at the traffic enforcer.

The Maserati driver, according to Adriatico, got even angrier when the MMDA enforcer started taking a video of the driver using his mobile phone and asked Ingco to re-enact his dirty finger sign.

The driver allegedly grabbed Adriatico’s collar and repeatedly punched him. Still holding on to Adriatico’s collar, Ingco allegedly started driving the car slowly. He also reportedly took the MMDA enforcer’s mobile phone.

Charges filed 

Adriatico filed charges against Ingco before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office late Friday afternoon. The motorist was charged with serious physical injuries, direct assault against an agency or person in authority, grave threat, and robbery. 

Adriatico’s lawyer, Victor Nuñez, said he and his client would proceed to the East Avenue Medical Center for the treatment of Adriatico’s nose, which was allegedly struck by Ingco.

Police earlier Friday pinpointed Ingco’s New Manila residence where the Maserati was parked but they could not locate the driver. Pagdilao said police are now working on getting custody of the Maserati, while the investigation progresses.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino had earlier announced a P100,000-award for information that would lead to the arrest of Ingco. – Rappler.com