CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A video of a traffic enforcer in this city allegedly harassing a jeepney driver has been going viral in social media.
Based on the Facebook video uploaded by a netizen, who wants anonymity, the traffic enforcer identified as Tristan Mendiola, 27, was seen grasping the collar of jeepney driver Francisco Tudio, 54, during a heated altercation on the road.
Although not seen on the video, Mendiola also reportedly punched Tudio’s face, a claim later on confirmed by this city’s Traffic Management Division (TMD) Head Danilo Bautista.
According to the police blotter filed after the incident, Mendiola was apprehending Tudio for an out-of-line violation.
Mendiola reportedly caught the driver, whose public utility vehicle route franchise is only Angeles City to Villa Pampang but reportedly picking up and unloading passengers in Barangay Telabastagan in this city.
Tudio allegedly tried to evade arrest by speeding away and almost hit Mendiola with his jeepney.
However, Bautista said Mendiola’s action clearly violated the Code of Conduct of traffic enforcers and the internal policy of San Fernando TMD known as “No Contact Policy”.
“Hindi niya dapat sinuntok o kinwelyuhan iyong driver regardless of his violation. Mayroon kaming policy dito sa opisina na ‘no touch, no hold and no contact’ sa lahat ng violators. Kung may violation man, dapat sabihin lang iyong violation tapos tiketan, pero hindi dapat hawakan,” he said.
Bautista disclosed that Tudio can be considered a “habitual violator” as he was already apprehended for the same violation on March 12, 2018.
“Meron talaga tayong mga tinatawag na habitual violators pero either way, hindi dapat maging aggressive ang mga enforcers natin. Paalala natin sa kanila na dapat parating habaan ang pasendya,” he said.
Bautista said that he already reported the case to the Office of the Mayor for the proper imposition of disciplinary action to Mendiola which may vary from suspension or dismissal.
While awaiting decision, Bautista said that Mendiola is prohibited from field works.