CITOM arrests two drivers wanted for traffic violation

CEBU, Philippines - At least two of the 59 drivers wanted for violation of the Cebu City Traffic Code were arrested yesterday by operatives of the City Traffic Operations and Management.

Dioscoro Cafino of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Sambag II and Jerry Caboguas of Toledo City were arrested at Osmeña Boulevard corner Plaridel Street based on the bench warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Monalila Tecson.

CITOM operations officer Joy Tumulak said Cafino has unsettled fines with the city government amounting to P166,800. Caboguas owes the city government P52,800 in fines.

Tumulak said the amount was accumulated through the years because of several traffic violations committed by the suspects. The drivers were endorsed to the court which issued the warrant for their arrest.

 “Ato silang i-endorse sa court, depende kon mo-appear siya or advise-an kon i-settle pero kon i-settle, mo-issue mi og (affidavit of) desistance, then i-endorse namo sa sala ni Judge Tecson then, issue dayon og dismissal sa kaso,” Tumulak said.

The other drivers who were subject of the warrant could not be located.

 “Ang ubang drivers sa pag follow-up nato, ang uban wala na mi-drive, ang uban ni-uli kuno og probinsya, duna sab uban nga wala na ni-drive ana nga unit kay nibalhin na og route pero dili gihapon sila maka-ikyas,” he said, adding that the bench warrant was directly addressed to the driver’s residence in their province.

Tumulak said there were CITOM personnel assigned to arrest the erring drivers. He said these drivers failed to settle their obligations after they were issued with citation tickets by traffic enforcers and also failed to appear before them when they were summoned.

Tumulak said they will continue the operation to locate the remaining 57 drivers with arrest warrant.

Tumulak reminded the drivers who were issued citation tickets to immediately settle the fines at the CITOM office to avoid legal problem in the future. (FREEMAN)