Cops violating traffic laws to lose allowance

CEBU, Philippines – Abusive cops and traffic enforcers, beware!

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has decided to impose stiffer sanctions against policemen and traffic enforcers who will be caught violating traffic-related laws in Cebu City.

This is after Cebu City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., who chairs the City Council's committee on peace and order and safety, said he will recommend the imposition of sanctions against abusive police officers and traffic enforcers.

"Ato i-recommend sa mayor nga putlan ug allowance ang member sa Cebu City police nga mo-violate sa mga balaud ug ordinance pag-drive ug motor. Kadtong dili taga CCPO ato paylan og complaint sa region. Ang Citom personnel nga mo-violate ato i-recommend nga dili na i-renew ang appointment," Pe said. (We will recommend to the mayor to cut the allowance of CCPO policemen caught violating traffic laws. Policemen from outside Cebu City will face a complaint before the Police Regional Office while erring Citom personnel would no longer be renewed.)

Officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Task Force Alpha reported to Pe that during their operations, many policemen and traffic enforcers were caught violating the provisions of the Transportation and Traffic Code.

There were police officers and traffic personnel who were caught driving their vehicles even if they do not have driver's licenses. Worse, their motorcycles are not registered or have expired registration.

For his part, Cebu City Councilor Ritchie Osmeña, chairman of the City Council committee on traffic management, supported Pe's recommendation.

"Very very much in favor, dili lang kay putlan sa allowance but suspension kay para nako it's a slap on our face na mismo atong mga enforcers ang nag-violate sa atong balaud," Osmeña said. (Beyond cutting their allowances, let's push for their suspension.)

LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos has instructed the LTO-7 Task Force Alpha to intensify the campaign against abusive drivers as one way of promoting safety in the road.

During checkpoint operations conducted by the LTO and its enforcement arm, the Task Force Alpha, policemen who are caught violating traffic laws just identify themselves as lawmen and show to LTO agents their identification cards, instead of the driver's license.

Three police officers assigned with the Fuente Osmeña and Guadalupe Police Stations and the Cebu City Intelligence Division were caught driving motorcycles without valid driver's licenses and registrations of their motorcycles. Their units also do not have the required side mirrors and two did not wear crash helmets.

Aside from the national law, the city has an ordinance requiring all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear crash helmets.

Each of the more than 900 policemen in Cebu City is receiving P1,000-monthly incentive from the City Hall. Just last week, Rama announced an increase of the incentive to P2,000.

While traffic enforcers are required to comply with the provisions of Republic Act 4136, many of them drive their units, including their private vehicles, without lightings and other accessories.

Under the Department Order 2008-39 issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), any person apprehended for driving a vehicle without valid driver's license will be slapped with a P1,500-fine.

Another P1,000 fine will also be imposed against the owner of the vehicle for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive his unit. If the driver owns the vehicle, he will have to pay the additional amount.

For driving an unregistered vehicle, the erring driver will have to pay P2,000 fine. If the driver owns the vehicle, penalty is P4,000.  (FREEMAN)