Traffic enforcer risks losing job: Rooster ‘paid’ for traffic violation

CEBU, Philippines - A traffic enforcer in Mandaue City has been recommended for termination for allegedly taking a motorist’s fighting cock to recompense for a traffic violation.

Edwin Ermac, head of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, endorsed the termination of Ramon Companero, resident of Barangay Ibabao.

Companero has been accused of taking the fighting cock of a certain Julius Laure, 27, of Barangay Binaliw, Danao City after the latter reportedly committed a traffic violation for not wearing a helmet while driving a motorcycle.

In his affidavit, Laure said he was driving his motorbike last February 17 when he was apprehended by Companero at corner Plaridel and Jayme Streets in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

Companero said Laure had to pay P4,000 for his violation, according to Laure’s sworn statement.

But since Laure did not have such amount, he said he only handed to Companero P200 cash. He was not issued a citation ticket.

Moments later, the traffic enforcer noticed that Laure was tucking a bag with him, prompting the former to ask what was inside it.

Laure replied it was a fighting cock.

Laure said Companero then asked him to go to a nearby waiting shed so they “can talk further.”

At the waiting shed, Companero allegedly told Laure to give him his fighting cock as payment for the violation.

Left with no choice, Laure said he yielded.

After the complaint was endorsed to the TEAM office, Companero was called for an initial investigation and denied that he asked for the fighting cock.

Companero insisted it was the motorist who gave it to him, Ermac said.

Companero even returned the said fighting cock after the investigation, Ermac added.

Ermac said they were supposed to give Companero due process by conducting further investigation before any penalty could be imposed, but since then, he never reported for work.

For formality, Ermac said he has already forwarded to the Human Resource and Management Office his recommendation for Companero’s termination. (FREEMAN)