Police: Councilman apprehended for traffic violation

CEBU, Philippines - Contrary to reports that a barangay councilman allegedly engaged in hanky-panky with a university student inside his car, the Mobile Patrol Group clarified that he was apprehended for a traffic violation.

The police were reportedly supposed to arrest Kamagayan barangay councilman Diogenes Avila for parking his vehicle in a no-parking area along Pelaez Extension when he suddenly sped off.

Police Officers 1 Junrel Buñel and Wilson Montalban of the MPG were conducting roving patrol when they noticed a black Ford Ranger with plate number 7C-114 parked in a no parking zone at past 1 a.m. last Monday.

They were approaching the vehicle to supposedly verify who was inside when the driver, who later turned out to be Avila, reportedly escaped and fled towards R. Landon Street.

The MPG personnel were not able to catch up with the barangay councilman even if they immediately blocked P. del Rosario St. in coordination with Parian Police Station.

Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, chief of the MPG, clarified that Avila was being arrested for a traffic violation and rumors that the councilman was caught with a girl inside his car remain unproven.

“Lisud kaayo mosulti because wala’y picture or video to prove,” said Ricabo.

The incident was recorded in Parian Police Station as disobedience to a person in authority.

Ricabo said he instructed his personnel to file charges against Avila for violating traffic regulation and for evading arrest. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)