Authorities on Monday arrested a bogus Metro Manila Development Authority traffic enforcer who victimized motorists along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
Operatives from Central Police District-Galas Police Station 11 caught Reynante Marasigan Pascasio, 40, acting as MMDA traffic constable in a dimly lighted area in Araneta Avenue and Palanza Street, Barangay Santol, Quezon City at 1:30 a.m.
Police Officer II Roel Rue said Pascasio was wearing a complete MMDA uniform bearing the MMDA logo and Philippine flag patch. He added that the suspect was caught standing beside his motorcycle with blinker and with plate number 7968 XT.
“Our personnel approached Pascasio and asked for pertinent documents to prove that he is indeed an MMDA officer but he failed to show any,” Rue said.
The MMDA, through Traffic Operations Officer Elpidio Tañeca, verified that Pascasio, who is now under police custody, is not an employee of the agency.
Tañeca also said that the uniform used by the suspect was fake.
“Our enforcer’s uniform doesn’t bear the flag and the name cloth should bear the enforcer’s initials,” said Tañeca.
Tañeca also said that Pascasio’s motorcycle also has some violations as it has blinkers which are allowed only if it is a government-issued vehicle. The motorcycle was confiscated and was placed under the police’s custody.
Pascasio was charged with usurpation of authority, illegal use of uniform and insignia, and illegal use of sirens and wang-wang before the Quezon City prosecutors office.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim, for his part, warned enterprising people to stop using the agency’s name for their personal advantage.
“We strongly condemn these kinds of illegal acts. The MMDA’s campaign to clean our roster will be continuous and relentless. We won’t let those with ill motives taint the honest image of the agency that we are constantly building,” he said.
He also said that a violation ticket is better than trying to bribe the apprehending officer.
The official advised the public to be wary of fake enforcers. He encouraged them to be alert and to check if the officer is wearing an authorized uniform and is carrying a mission order, as it is their responsibility to carry it at all times.
Meanwhile, Grab Philippines on Monday donated to the MMDA 100 body cameras to be used by its enforcers in dealing with erring motorists and prevent extortion activities.
Lim thanked Grab Philippines head Brian Cu for the donation of the gadgets during the agency’s Monday’s flag raising ceremony.
The agency wants traffic enforcers to wear the device to help them in dealing with erring motorists, as well as prevent them from engaging into bribery and extortion while doing their job on the road.
“This is what we need. This will go a very long way in terms of making a difference for our enforcers to do their jobs,” said Lim.
Lim was seconded by MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr., saying the donation would be a big boost to the agency’s operation, particularly in going after erring motorists on the road.
“This will show transparency in our works because there will be evidence of apprehension through video recording. These cameras will serve as protection to our traffic enforcers and also of the motorists,” said Garcia.
Garcia, however, clarified that the donation will not in any way protect erring Transport Network Vehicle Service driver under Grab should they commit any traffic violation.
“There is no such order. These donated body cameras will show transparency. These gadgets will somehow protect our traffic enforcers when they encounter rude drivers. On the part of the motorists, they will have evidence if they were asked bribes,” he said.
Garcia said the body cameras will be issued to traffic enforcers, especially those managing the flow of traffic along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue and identified chokepoint areas in the metropolis after undergoing training.
The MMDA is hoping to procure more body cameras for other traffic enforcers. However, it cannot be easily done due to budget constraints.
For his part, Leo Emmanuel Gonzales, Grab Philippines Public Affairs chief, expressed optimism that the body cameras would help the agency in managing traffic in the metropolis.
“We are one with the MMDA. They need eyes on the road. They need to be visible during any apprehension or any part of their work,” he said.
The gadgets, according to Gonzales, can be used all throughout the day as they have 10 to 12 hours battery life. Each body camera costs P9,000 each.
He also affirmed that the donation will not spare their drivers if they are cited for a traffic violation.
“We are putting our foot forward in saying that please go ahead. If there is erring TNVS driver under Grab that committed any violation, apprehend them by all means,” said Gonzales.
The MMDA started using the gadgets last December after a businessman donated at least 20 gadgets.
Lim admitted that some MMDA traffic enforcers were involved in extortion and bribery cases, and some motorists apprehended for violating traffic rules are also the ones offering money to the enforcers to avoid facing the penalties.
“Motorists can take videos of traffic enforcers participating in unlawful activities, why not traffic enforcers? Body cameras can serve as proof or evidence on what really happened between a traffic enforcer and a motorists being apprehended for a traffic violation,” he said.
Ferwin Lao, vice president of Worx Group of Companies, said they offered the 20 units of cameras because “traffic is a big headache of the MMDA and we want to help by giving them body cams somehow, it will help to resolve traffic.”
The MMDA said the plan to implement body cameras for enforcers is also part of the agency’s campaign against corruption within its ranks.