MMDA chief to motorists, traffic cops, passengers: Respect each other

TOLENTINO

MANILA, Philippines—With the death of a traffic enforcer who got dragged and run over by a sport utility vehicle driver along Edsa-Cubao last week, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino encouraged every motorist to show respect not only to traffic constables but also to pedestrians, fellow drivers and passengers as well.

During the cremation of the remains of traffic constable Sonny Acosta on Sunday in Malabon, Tolentino made the call as he noted that responsible citizens like Acosta have become helpless victims of traffic crimes and reckless driving even if they were just doing their jobs.

“One lesson that we can get from this incident is the aspect of respect. The respect we need to give to every driver on the road, to private motorists and even to traffic rules and people in authority,” Tolentino said during the agency’s weekly radio program.

The 38-year-old Acosta died on Tuesday because of traumatic brain injuries and after being in coma for four days at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, leaving behind his wife and three daughters, the youngest of which is only six months old.

The traffic enforcer got his hand trapped on the window of the car that dragged him a few meters along Edsa on Dec. 19 before he was run over by the vehicle that he had tried to flag down for using the lane designated for buses in Cubao.

The Quezon City police earlier expressed its plan to upgrade to homicide the case filed against Isuzu Sportivo driver Mark Ian Libunao. The police and the MMDA initially filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries and driving with an expired license against the 35-year-old Libunao.

Tolentino said that this case should be an eye-opener to all motorists and should encourage them to respect everyone on the streets.

The MMDA chair also slammed Libunao for continually denying his role in the killing despite being identified by witnesses and being linked to the vehicle that ran over Acosta.

“He showed no respect for traffic regulations when he used the lane for provincial buses and he also disrespected the traffic enforcer who courteously told him about his violation and asked for his license,” Tolentino added.

On Sunday morning, Acosta’s family and friends said their last goodbye to the traffic enforcer before his remains were cremated at the Floresco Funeral Homes in Malabon. The MMDA said that Acosta’s ashes would be temporarily kept by the family before deciding on the place of interment.

Aside from helping Acosta’s family shoulder the hospital expenses, Tolentino also promised to give educational assistance to the three daughters of the traffic constable.