Maserati driver: ‘I was the victim’
The Quezon City police tagged Joseph Russel Abacan Ingco of New Manila as the Maserati driver who allegedly assaulted an MMDA traffic enforcer on Thursday morning. PHOTO BY MMDA CONSTABLE RODOLFO FERNANDEZ
MANILA, Philippines—Businessman Joseph Russel Ingco surfaced on Friday, claiming that contrary to the account of traffic enforcer Jorbe Adriatico, he was the victim in the controversial mauling incident. He said he would pursue charges against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constable.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Ingco denied violating traffic rules, and said Adriatico was the one who assaulted him.
On Thursday morning, Ingco, while on board his blue Maserati Ghibli, allegedly insulted and punched Adriatico several times, dragging him from the intersection of G. Araneta and Quezon Avenues to Scout Chuatoco street.
“Kakaliwa po ako ng Q. Ave. pero napansin ko na bawal kaya nag-U-turn ako pero napansin ko vinideo niya ako (I was about take a left turn at Q. Ave but I noticed it wasn’t allowed so I took a U-turn and then I saw him taking a video),” he said.
At first, Ingco said he ignored Adriatico as he took a video.
But when he got near where the enforcer was standing, he saw Adriatico continuing to take a video of him.
Irked, Ingco said he lowered his window, approached Adriatico and said, “Boss, ano ba ang problema? Wala naman po akong viniolate sa traffic rules (Boss, what’s the problem? I’m not violating any traffic rules).”
“Pero habang vinivideo niya ako inano sa mukha ko tapos hinawi ko po ‘yung video.”
When Ingco tried to push Adriatico away, he said the enforcer hit him in the face.
Ingco said he sustained bruises and cuts in his arm from Adriatico’s assault.
“After no’n, minura niya ako. Galit na galit siya sa akin eh. Papatayin daw nya ako (After that, he cursed me. He was fuming. He said he was going to kill me),” he added.
Contrary to Adriatico’s narration that the sports car owner hurled expletives at him, Ingco vehemently denied this and said: “That’s not true. He was grabbing my shirt while I was driving. I really wanted to escape. I was scared.”
“Wala akong pwersa. Nasa loob po ako ng sasakyan. Kung gusto ko siyang saktan, ihaharurot ko na ‘yung sasakyan.”
Ingco also denied snatching Adriatico’s cellphone.
“I can’t understand why he’s taking a video of me. I didn’t do anything wrong,” he added.
Asked what his next step, Ingco said he will file charges against the MMDA enforcer.
Earlier, Adriatico filed a string of charges against Ingco including serious physical injury, grave threat, robbery, and assault upon an agent in authority.
Lawyer Ian Vincent Ludovice, the businessman’s counsel, said they will face the complaints and appear before the QC Prosecutor’s Office. “My client is not hiding,” he said.
