The Makati City government has asked the Bureau of Immigration for the immediate deportation of a Turkish national caught driving without a license and who assaulted a local traffic enforcer along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue last Thursday.
Mayor Abigail Binay tapped the city’s legal department to immediately seek the deportation of Yuksel Ibrahim who was charged by the police with direct assault, threat, resisting arrest, and malicious mischief.
Binay said: “We will not tolerate Mr. Ibrahim’s disrespectful and abusive behavior. Our traffic enforcer, Michael Orcino, was at his designated post performing his duties when the incident happened.
“Mr. Ibrahim had no right to assault an officer who only asked to see his driver’s license. His behavior was arrogant and uncivilized. He should be deported and declared ‘persona non grata’.”
The 24-year old Ibrahim is a businessman and residing at Teacher’s Compound in Barangay West Rembo, Makati. He is currently in police custody awaiting inquest proceedings.
Binay noted that Ibrahim blatantly disrespected Philippine laws by driving a vehicle without a license.
The city chief executive also commended Orcino, a member of the Public Safety Department, for standing his ground and continuing to do his job despite the circumstances.
Investigation showed that Ibrahim was driving a black Honda car at the corner of Gil Puyat Avenue and Bautista Street in Barangay Palanan around 5pm when he hit the car of Orcino, who was directing traffic in the area.
Orcino asked the foreigner to stop and present his driver’s license.
Since he had none, Ibrahim tried to escape but Orcino maneuvered his motorcycle in front and blocked the car.
Ibrahim alighted from the vehicle and dragged the motorycle off the road. He also physically assaulted Orcino when the traffic enforcer refused to let him through.
Orcino was wearing a body camera when the altercation took place. It was knocked off after Ibrahim shoved and pushed him several times.
Ibrahim’s Filipino companion, identified as Felix Pancha, even tried to help the foreigner escape.
In light of the incident, Binay reminded motorists, whether foreign or local, to respect and follow traffic laws and regulations. She asked drivers to be fair to traffic enforcers who were just doing their jobs.