KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 6 June) – An Army soldier was locked up inside a barbed wire prison cell in Maguindanao after he reportedly harassed traffic enforcers who confiscated his license when he was driving a motorcycle without a license plate and without wearing a helmet.
Antonio Camarinas Javison, who was a sergeant, was also demoted to a corporal. He is now locked up at a cell inside the headquarters of the 38th Infantry Battalion at Camp General Siongco in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat as the 6th Infantry Division is investigating his case, according to Col. Benjie Langub, 38IB commander.
Langub sent photos to media of the detained Javison as proof they mean business when they said in public that they are going to reprimand the soldier for a misdemeanor.
“We want the public to know that we do not condone misdemeanor of our men. We at the 38IB of the 6ID mean business,” Langub stressed.
Javison was accused of harassing operatives of the City Tricycle Franchising and Regulatory Board (CTFRB) in Kidapawan City when he was flagged down during a highway check along the Kidapawan-Makilala road on Monday.
Police said the soldier’s license was confiscated because he was not wearing a helmet and the motorcycle he was driving did not have a license plate.
Javison, according to complaints filed by the CTFRB at the Kidapawan City PNP, threatened the enforcers he would bring an Alert Team of the Army if they refuse to return his driver’s license.
He was issued a temporary operator’s permit (TOP) which according to the CTFRB is an accountable form from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Langub said that from the time he was informed of Javison’s action, he immediately asked a copy of the CTFRB reports and other documents.
“I immediately called up Javison’s direct head and ordered him to send the man in my headquarters so we could discipline him,” said Langub.
Javison will remain locked up in the cell as long as his administrative case is not yet resolved, the Army officer vowed. (Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews)