CESET sorry for mistaken identity

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) has clarified that it was not Pari-an barangay councilman Alan Dilao who got angry and refused to take a citation ticket after being caught smoking in public last Sunday.

Rather, it was Tejero barangay councilman Dindo Nuñez, said CESET head Grace Luardo. She said she will apologize to Dilao for identifying him mistakenly.

While Dilao has admitted he was issued with a citation ticket and even accepted it, it was actually Nuñez who was caught smoking inside the cemetery.

Luardo said Nuñez refused to accept the citation ticket and allegedly got angry at the barangay environmental officer.

Luardo said that the barangay councilman also insulted her staff member who issued the citation ticket.

In a telephone interview, Nuñez denied insulting the CESET staff member.

“Wala ko masuko ug mangisog. Nag-explain lang ko nila kay nganong gagmay man ning ilang mga ‘no- smoking’ nga signages?” he said.

Nuñez contended that if CESET was truthful to its operation, it should have put up more noticeable signages.

“Ang akoa lang, kun nakakita na sila nga naay padulong manigarilyo, dapat mamadlong na sila… dili kay mu-diretso lang og issue og ticket kay wala man ta kahibaw nga dili pwede manigarilyo dihang dapita,” he said.

“Wala pod ko kadawat sa ilang citation ticket kay wala man nila gihatag nako,” he added.

He also said he will  go to the CESET office to pay the fine.

CESET said earlier that it will file a case against Nuñez if the councilman would refuse to settle the obligation.

CESET issued citation tickets to three barangay councilmen - Dilao, Nuñez, and Roberto Camu of Barangay Guadalupe  - after they were caught violating the ordinance against smoking in public places during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Luardo said they are serious in their operation and that they will not give special treatment to officials because they simply want to protect the environment.

“Ang amoa lang is disiplina lang gyod unta,” she said.

CESET has issued citation tickets to 678 individuals who were caught smoking and littering in public places over the weekend.

Luardo advised violators to settle their fines as early as possible to avoid being sued. – (FREEMAN)