Monday, October 09, 2006 Treat enforcers kindly, Gayotin asks drivers
POLICE will only shoot the man who allegedly stabbed a traffic enforcer “if he is armed and resists from giving himself up peacefully.”
Cebu City Police Chief Melvin Gayotin told reporters yesterday that they follow the rules of engagement and that using force on anybody with no reason is not allowed.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña offered P50,000 last Friday to anybody who could arrest the driver.
He said that if the driver resists arrest and is armed, he will give more cash to the one who shoots him.
The rules of engagement state that the use of force should only be applied in self-defense or if the person threatens to harm civilians.
Gayotin said that in the case of traffic enforcer Danilo dela Peña, the latter was provoked.
Dela Peña had issued a citation to Wenelito Esconas for stopping in a no-stopping zone on N. Bacalso Ave.
Arguments
Dela Peña first asked Esconas to move his minibus away from the no-stopping zone, but Esconas reportedly ignored him.
Gayotin explained that most arguments with drivers and traffic enforcers occur when drivers refuse to hand over their licenses and answer back arrogantly.
Gayotin, who used to head the Cebu City Traffic Division, said snide comments from drivers are sometimes uncalled for.
“Gigutom nasad mo? Wala gyud mo’y laing buhat. Mga buaya (Who are hungry again? You have nothing better to do?),” Gayotin quoted some drivers as saying whenever they are apprehended.
He said if drivers are patient and kinder to enforcers, most of them will get off with a warning if they commit minor violations.
The purpose of asking for the license is not immediately to confiscate it but to check if it is not fake, expired or tampered, Gayotin said.
The police official said it is better for Esconas to turn himself in because there were many angry people looking for him. (MEA)
