Policeman threatens traffic aide

A policeman was accused of threatening a traffic enforcer after his neighbor was cited for a traffic violation in barangay Centro, Mandaue City.

The Mandaue City legal office is looking at the possibility of filing a case against PO3 Tommy Abucay, who is assigned at the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas.

Traffic enforcer Noel Mendoza complained that Abucay confronted him in a clearing operation in B. Ceniza Street last Friday afternoon.

Mendoza and operatives of the Centro police assisted a demolition team that cleared the road of ambulant vendors and illegally parked vehicles.

Prior to the confrontation, PO2 Randy Batistis argued with a driver of a multicab who refused to remove his car.

The multicab driven by a certain Ansot was reportedly owned by PO2 Michael Sulla, a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team in Lapu-Lapu City.

Police said that while Bastis and Ansot were arguing, someone called Abucay to inform him about the incident.

Abucay arrived and confronted Batistis. Abucay accused his fellow policeman of police brutality for allegedly hitting Ansot.

Batistis denied hitting Ansot.  Irked by the accusation, Batistis instructed Mendoza to issue Ansot a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP). Abucay intervened.

“Sige isyuhi gyud na. Bantay ka lang magkita ta usab makabawos ra gyud unya ko nimo,” Mendoza quoted Abucay as saying.

Mendoza went on to issue a TOP despite the threat.

Batistis reported the incident to the Mandaue City Police Office.  Supt. Renato Dugan arrived in the area, scolded Abucay and told him to go home./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA