Army soldier chases traffic aide with a gun

Three men were riding a motorbike without crash helmets on when they were stopped in Mandaue City for a traffic violation on Wednesday evening.

Instead of handing over a driver’s license, Richard Taclapan, a 24-year-old Army soldier from North Cotabato, took out a  .45 pistol and pointed it at the traffic enforcer.

To avoid getting shot, Salvador Comedia of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, grabbed the key of the motorcycle and ran off.

Comedia, 33,  said he was chased by the three men but was able to hide in one of the houses in the area.

Bystanders in the area prevented the three men from collaring him, said Comedia.

Policemen later arrived and arrested the motorists and seized  a .45 pistol from Taclapan.

A charge of grave threats will be filed against  Richard  Taclapan who is staying in Maguikay, Mandaue City; his brother Rhyslloyd Taclapan, 21, and a friend Rodel Lacsina, 25,  from Cebu.

Richard is a member of the 3rd Special Forces  Battalion of the Philipine Army based in Agusan Del Norte.

The three men are  now detained at the Subangdaku police station.

The incident took place at 7 p.m.  on C. D. Seno Street where Comedia was manning traffic.

When Comedia  flagged down the motorcycle,  Taclapan shouted at him “Ngano pa mang sitahon mi nimu nga gabii naman.  Di na kinahanglan ang helmet. (Why will you apprehend us when its already evening? There’s no need to wear a helmet).”

Comedia said he ignored the taunt and asked  to see a driver’s license.

When the driver took out a gun instead, the traffic enforcer made a run for it.

Richard’s younger brother denied the TEAM member’s allegations.