Shipbuilding firm cries foul vs LTO agent

CEBU, Philippines - Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu) Inc. yesterday complained before the Land Transportation Office-7 after they were allegedly harassed by a member of Task Force Alpha who apprehended their company vehicles in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, convinced they were vehicles-for-hire without a franchise.

Tsuneishi security manager Clarence Martinez told The FREEMAN that Merlo Surilla flagged down three of Tsuneishi‘s service vehicles that were transporting their guests, Japanese shipowners, to a restaurant in Mandaue City 6 p.m. last Friday.

When Surilla said one of the vehicles was colorum, its driver, Lino Dieng protested, insisting that company vehicles do not need franchises.

“Misuway ko og estorya niya kun unsa ang among violation apan wala man ko niya pamati-a,” Dieng said. When he insisted on pursuing his point Surilla cited him for discourtesy.   

Surilla told Dieng that his concerns can only be settled at the LTO-7 office, adding that they are not allowed to discuss matters with violators to prevent further problems.

As Dieng reportedly tried to reason with Surilla, his passengers left the vehicle and hailed a taxi cab. 

“Amo nalang gipasakay among mga guest sa taxi aron makaabot sila sa restaurant. Bisan nahadlok mi nga sa seguridad sa among mga guests nga mga tag-iya og barko,” Martinez said.

Martinez also alleged that another of Surilla’s colleagues reportedly harassed their guests by asking them needless questions, one of which was if they were really Tsuneishi VIPs.

He said his guests did not deserve the bad treatment they received, as investors in Cebu they should have been treated accordingly.

Surilla also reportedly made the same “colorum” citation for another Tsuneishi vehicle but let the third one off because the driver was his friend.

Surilla told The FREEMAN that he was simply doing his mandate, adding that what happened was just miscommunication between the two parties involved.

He said as deputized officers, they are not allowed to settle issues concerning violators upon apprehension.

“Di man mi-pwede mo try og settle sa mga reklamo sa among mga dinakpan, amo sila i-refer dayon sa office,” Surilla said.

Surilla admitted he apprehended Dieng after being convinced the vehicle was being used for commercial purpose to ferry passengers without a franchise.

However, on Monday, a representative from Tsuneishi settled the issue by paying a fine of P500 for the discreetly after Dieng reportedly insisted.

LTO-7 director Raul Aguilos said the issue was already resolved. He even defended his men that they were only following their mandate.

“Mao gyud na ang directive, they are not allowed to settle problems when they apprehend,” he said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)