Traffic enforcer nabbed for demanding ‘load’

For demanding load for his cell phone from a motorist, a traffic enforcer from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was arrested yesterday by Quezon City policemen along EDSA in Project 7.

Senior Police Officer 2 Mar Castro, investigator at Central Police District Station 2 in Baler, identified the suspect as Glen Ricoto, 48, a resident of Caloocan City and assigned to direct traffic along EDSA in Quezon City.

The complainant against the traffic enforcer was identified as Alice Portencio, 31, a human resource officer of the Philippine National Oil Corp. (PNOC) and resident of San Antonio Village Quezon City.

Initial investigation showed that at about 8:30 a.m., Portencio was driving her blue Toyota sedan when the suspect flagged her down.

Ricoto questioned the validity of a Land Transportation Office sticker on the license plate of Portencio’s car.

The MMDA traffic enforcer then allegedly demanded cell phone load from her, handing over his calling card, where his cell phone number was printed.

Portencio pretended to give in to his demand and promised the suspect that she would send him the electronic load.

After she was allowed to leave, Portencio saw members of the LTO Flying Squad and asked them if MMDA enforcers had the authority to check LTO stickers.

The answer was "no."

She proceeded immediately to the Baler police station and filed a complaint. Responding policemen arrested the suspect at the same spot where he had earlier accosted the motorist. – Perseus Echeminada