DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 Nov) – The traffic enforcer caught on video accepting a bribe from an apprehended motorist has been terminated after 14 years of service with the department, according to the head of the Traffic Management Center (TMC).
In a telephone interview Thursday, TMC chief Rhodelio Poliquit said the order was effective Tuesday (Nov. 18).
The enforcer, identified as Alan Fanlo, also earned the ire of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who said there would no longer be any chance for the enforcer to go back to the department.
“Extortion is robbery. He’s out. Hindi na kailangan pag-usapan yun. Automatic yan. If it is true na nagkurakot, out na yan,” Duterte said at Wednesday’s opening of the Davao Agricultural Trade fair and Expo (DATE) at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang.
Fanlo was grounded by the TMC immediately after Poliquit found out about the video.
Poliquit, however, reiterated his request for motorists to “do the right thing” and complain directly to the TMC instead of posting videos.
“There has been no criminal complaint yet,” he said.
Poliquit said earlier this week that posting the videos online was all right. “But it would be better if there is a formal complaint. Complainants should have a face associated with their names and not hide behind helmets while being recorded,” he stressed.
This opinion was shared by PSSCC head Frank Villaroman who called Poliquit’s attention in a Facebook post dated Nov. 17.
The video, posted by a Facebook user known as Jack Doktor, showed an enforcer apprehending a motorcycle driver along C.M. Recto Street.
“TO ALL CONCERN (sic): Unta inyo ning aksyunan, dugay na niya ginabuhat ang pagpangilkil sa mga ultimong mga driver nga masayop sa balaod trapiko apan karon ra gyud nakuhaan og bidyu (I hope you act on this, since the enforcer has been doing this for a long time after apprehendeding drivers who are found violating the law.)”
The Facebook user said the enforcer was assigned at C.M. Recto Street. “Klaro kaayo ang mga panghitabo. Kamo nay komento (The incident speaks for itself. You be the judge.)”
Commenting on the Facebook user’s post, Villaroman said: “Why don’t you or the victims file or lodge a formal complaint against the erring TMC enforcers? What’s his name and when did this happen? Be responsible citizens… We cannot monitor all personnel daily in the streets… It’s your effort to help us in the government.”
Villaroman, in his own Facebook post, immediately called Poliquit’s attention, and tasked PSSCC personnel to save a copy to be endorsed to the City Mayor’s Office.
The PSSCC chief, in a television interview on ABS-CBN, said he was the complainant for the administrative case against Fanlo.
