6 more drivers arrested for ‘habitual’ traffic violations

SIX more jeepney drivers whose multiple traffic violations resulted in cases filed against them were apprehended in Cebu City yesterday.

They were brought before a judge and made to pay a P2,000 court fine, with an order to settle their accumulated traffic fines with the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom).

Bench warrants issued by the court for 32 public utility drivers signaled a crackdown by Citom on “habitual” violators who had piled up traffic citation tickets with fines of P1,900 to P160,500.

One driver had over 350 violations since 1999.

With a Citom team looking for the other 25 drivers who are the subject of bench warrants, some jeepney drivers said they were taking extra care in following traffic signs in Cebu City.

Jeepney driver Eliza Cardones, 45, said he didn’t want to have legal troubles with his 12I jeepney which plies the Labangon-Colon-SM route.

“Sa una ana ra ko magpakabana kung naay Citom. Maayo na lang wala pa ko na-issuehan ug citation ticket. Pero karon ako na gyud gi-follow ang mga signs bahala’g walay taga Citom,” Cardones told Cebu Daily News.

(I used to follow traffic signs only if there were Citom enforcers around. Fortunately I haven’t been issued a citation ticket. But now, I follow traffic signs even if I don’t see citom enforcers.)

A violator can pay a compromise penalty of P500 to Citom or have a case filed in court for violation of Cebu City Ordinance 801 or the Traffic Code of Cebu City.

Those arrested yesterday included two jeepney drivers plying the Naga to Punta Princesa Route, 33-year-old Venerando Raganas and 39-year-old Jimmy Campo.

Four others plied the 06B route. They were identified as 39-year-old Maximo Guevarra, 46-year-old Leonardo Salaguste, 34-year-old Christopher dela Ganar and 22-year-old Renante Inot.

They joined Darwin Larita, the first to be apprehended on the road last Sept. 12.

“They were brought before Judge Monolila Tecson of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities,” said Citom operations head Joy Tumulak.

Inot and dela Ganar paid a P2,000 fine to the court which ordered them to settle their accumulated fines with Citom.

The five others had to file a motion to lift the bench warrants. Their arraignment was set for November 7.

“We accompanied them to the judge and then to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) where they filed their motions,” said PO1 Arnado Jacinto Jr., head of Citom’s mobile team.

The seven apprehended drivers were released yesterday. Their rented PUJ units were not confiscated.