Rama turns down Joel's challenge

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama did not bite into the challenge of Tinago barangay councilman Joel Garganera to suspend the operations of private towing companies.

Garganera, for his part, said he was not surprised by Rama’s rejection of his call. “Expected. Basin maguol pod sila nga maminus ang income sa towing company.”

Garganera had said he believed that some city officials receive a share from the income of the private towing companies hired by the City Traffic Operations Management.

Rama stressed that he consulted Acting Vice Mayor Hilario Davide III and the city councilors about the issue and said he would evaluate the inputs gathered during their meeting. Mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña had tasked Rama to handle the matter after the series of incidents involving some towing personnel.

A fistfight almost ensued during an altercation between Garganera and members of One Stop Towing Services after he stopped the towing personnel from pulling out an illegally parked vehicle near an uptown hospital last April 8.

Last week, a towing vehicle of Road Warriors Towing Services ran over a man in barangay Mabolo while a traffic violator was reportedly mauled by towing personnel in Fuente Osmeña.

Freddie Teopez was caught by towing personnel driving his motorcycle without wearing a crash helmet last Thursday. But he refused to stop when being flagged down, prompting the towing personnel to chase him until he was cornered at the Fuente Osmeña. 

Efren Navalez, operations officer of One-Stop Towing Services, said they would file criminal charges against Teopez who rammed their towing vehicle from behind.

“Kon kami pa ang mibangga, ang luyo unta sa motor ang naigo. Nganong ang angkas ni Teopez wala man maunsa?” Navalez argued.

Rama said the City Council should come up with a stand on the issue because the towing personnel are not supposed to apprehend traffic violators and drivers of vehicles caught for illegal parking.

Osmeña said Teopez is not prevented to file the necessary complaint against the towing personnel if he wishes to.

Rama also instructed Cebu City Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador and the CITOM to submit a report about the incident. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)