Traffic cop linked to illegal Divisoria 'pedicabs'

MANILA, Philippines - A group of Manila’s traffic enforcers yesterday filed charges of physical injury and oral defamation against a traffic policeman who reportedly became violent as he interfered in the clearing and apprehension of illegal pedicabs in Divisoria yesterday morning.

Some six traffic enforcers were dispatched by Nancy Villanueva, chief of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, to Reina Regente street in Binondo to clear the area of illegal pedicabs – bicycles equipped with sidecars. The unlicensed pedicab drivers reportedly use portion of the street as illegal terminal thus blocking the free flow of traffic. Some drivers were also the subjects of complaints from the public for charging high fares.

According to MTPB sector commander Alex Constantino, he was leading his group in the apprehension of the illegal pedicabs when traffic policeman Police Officer 3 Luis Micay rushed to the area, visibly angry and hurling invectives at them. He also started to remove the ropes tying some 34 pedicabs on their way to the impounding area, Constantino said.

“He started berating us, claiming he owns some of the pedicabs being towed and being a policeman the MTPB personnel should give him more respect,” Constantino said. Micay was not in complete police uniform but had a gun tucked into his waistband, Constantino added.

A scuffle ensued when Constantino prevented Micay from untying the ropes. Only the arrival of a traffic official, identified as a certain Capt. Olidano, prevented the scuffle from going out of hand. Micay left the area while the seized pedicabs were brought to the MTPB impounding area at the North Cemetery.

Constantino said Micay, who is detailed at the Binondo area, is reportedly the protector of an illegal pedicab terminal in Divisoria.

Superintendent Nelson Yabut, who has jurisdiction over the Divisoria area, has long been complaining about the illegal pedicabs but traffic chief Superintendent Rizaldy Yap has yet to act upon the complaints.