SIX traffic enforcers of Bacolod Traffic Management Office (BTAO) were suspended after they were caught drinking liquor at Libertad Public Market in Bacolod City last week.
Acting Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Friday, September 20, that before the travel of Mayor Evelio Leonardia abroad, he was instructed by the mayor to order Police Lieutenant Colonel Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, to investigate the incident.
He said he was informed that the six enforcers were caught drinking liquor at Libertad Public Market while they were wearing their traffic uniforms.
After the BTAO’s investigation, Acebuche immediately suspended the six enforcers, whose names are being withheld.
“They were already off-duty at that time, but they were wearing traffic uniforms while having their drinking session and it’s not good in the eyes of the public because they thought that they were still on duty,” Familiaran said.
If they are off-duty, he said the enforcers or other public servants should not wear their uniforms while having drinking sessions in public because it’s not a good example.
Of six enforcers, two of them were regular employees.
Familiaran added that this will serve as lesson to other government employees to be aware of what they are doing because they are public servants.