Three Mandaue traffic enforcers sacked on corruption allegations

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against bribery, extortion, and all forms of corruption among City Hall employees.

This came after three personnel from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) were dismissed from service for allegedly asking for money from motorists in exchange for allowing them to avoid traffic violations.

TEAM head Hyll Retuya, in an interview with reporters, said the agency acted after videos and photos of the enforcers’ alleged illegal activities circulated on social media.

He stressed that TEAM upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption to maintain honest and transparent public service in the city, adding that such conduct has never been tolerated by the local government unit.

“Atoang gi-aksyunan kay mao man nay atoang mandato. Diri sa TEAM especially sa LGU wala na nato gitudlo, tinarong ni atoang panerbisyo. This will serve a lesson sa uban,” Retuya said.

The investigation relied on evidence provided by victims, including dashcam footage and audio recordings allegedly capturing enforcers negotiating illegal payments.

In one case, an enforcer allegedly demanded P1,000 from a driver by falsely claiming that official penalties paid at the office were higher and required a mandatory seminar.

Retuya clarified that the cited violation did not warrant vehicle impoundment, indicating that the threat was allegedly used to pressure the driver.

He added that seminars are only required for impoundable offenses, which usually last about an hour, and did not apply to the victim’s case.

While the enforcer claimed fines could reach P3,000, Retuya said the actual penalties ranged only from P1,000 to P1,500.

In another incident, enforcers allegedly asked motorists for money to buy snacks in exchange for ignoring a citation ticket.

All three personnel underwent legal proceedings and due process before their termination.

According to Retuya, the individuals admitted to the offenses after being presented with evidence. He said the dismissals should serve as a warning that corruption would face immediate administrative action.

Retuya also encouraged the public to report dishonest enforcers by submitting evidence through the TEAM Facebook page or to the office of Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano.

However, he emphasized that complaints would still undergo due process to distinguish legitimate reports from possible false accusations made by traffic violators.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said that aside from the three traffic enforcers, three other traffic personnel had already been sanctioned for separate traffic-related violations.

“Sa policy sa mayor zero tolerance ta anang mga ingon ana,” Malig-on said.

Malig-on said the other three personnel were not involved in money-related offenses but were seen violating traffic rules, including hanging onto a jeepney, cutting lanes, and driving a motorcycle over a center island to evade traffic.

As a result, they were transferred to another department/division following their violations, which he classified as minor.

Malig-on added that the city government is serious about removing workers involved in misconduct.

He said that the city government actively monitors complaints, even those posted on social media, and disciplinary sanctions are immediately ordered when necessary.

“Wala gyud tay tolerance anang mga ingon ana kay frontline service man gud na ang traffic management,” he said, adding that the policy is part of Ouano’s mandate.

The city administrator said that since traffic rules are strictly enforced on the public in Mandaue City, traffic personnel should be held to the same standards when they violate regulations.

“Ato sang ipakita na strikto ta, deserving pod ang mga tao sa atong serbisyo,” Malig-on said.

“Kanang mahiwi sila og follow sa rules mismo, nga sila unta ang mu follow, ato gyud nang i-sanction,” he added.