BUSTED A Chinese man initially flagged down for a number coding violation is placed under arrest after he struck several vehicles in an attempt to escape.The police also found in his car a sachet which seemed to contain drugs. — GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Manila policemen on Thursday placed under arrest a Chinese man who had tried to escape after he was flagged down by a traffic enforcer for violating the number coding regulation.
When caught, the still unidentified foreigner who was driving a white Toyota Fortuner yielded a sachet of what appeared to be “shabu” (crystal meth). He was accompanied by a Filipino woman.
According to the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), the Chinese man and his companion were initially flagged down on Padre Algue Street in Binondo for a number coding violation around 8 a.m.
The apprehending officer however, noted that the driver who could speak neither English or Tagalog presented a license with a Filipino-sounding name.
“He spoke only in Chinese but his driver’s license didn’t show a Chinese name. The officer decided to escort the driver and impound the car. That’s when the Chinese man sped away,” said traffic enforcer John Michael Guillemer.
From Padre Algue Street, the suspect drove toward Recto Avenue as more MTPB personnel, police officers and motorists joined the chase.
The Chinese man was finally cornered on Tayuman and Abad Santos Streets after his sport utility vehicle (SUV) ran over a traffic enforcer’s motorcycle.
MTPB staff Ryan Salangsang said he was able to jump from his motorcycle to avoid being run over by the SUV.
An e-tricycle, a car and another motorcycle were also struck by the SUV during the chase, Salangsang added. MTPB officers had to open the door of the SUV by force after the foreigner refused to step out of his vehicle. “He even spat on a policeman,” said Guillemer.
The suspect is currently detained at the Manila Police District’s general assignments section. His companion, who was also placed under arrest, accompanied him although she refused to talk to authorities.