BTA condemns driver who hacked traffic enforcer
BACOLOD CITY – City Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr, chairman of the committee on transportation, yesterday condemned the acts committed by a jeepney driver in hacking a traffic enforcer due to a simple altercation.
Gamboa said, the members of the Bacolod Traffic Authority (BTA) along with some transport organizations met yesterday and strongly expressed their condemnation to the acts committed by 30-year old Rolly Andres.
Andres is a driver of Libertad-Mandalagan jeepney who was responsible in hacking a traffic enforcer identified as Teresito Destacamento assigned in Brgy. 40 Lopues-Jaena streets.
"The transport groups and BTA Office strongly condemn this act and we will recommend that criminal charges will be filed against the driver," Gamboa said.
He also confirmed that during their meeting yesterday, they filed a unanimous resolution that the enforcer-victim could avail medical assistance from the city government considering that the hacking incident happened while he was on duty.
Gamboa further reiterated that the city government has an agreement with the private hospital that in case a similar incident happens to any traffic enforcer, the hospital cannot deny their obligation and it is necessary for them to provide medical assistance because the city is mandated to pay all the medical bills and any other expenses .
Gamboa said that all traffic enforcers are covered by PhilHealth, so there is no reason at all that the hospital will reject them.
Gamboa added, the city government is studying some moves that the same benefits will also be extended to traffic enforcers who are under job orders.
Gamboa will also recommend to the Bacolod City Police Office to strictly monitor all drivers carrying deadly weapons and if possible file appropriate charges against them.
Records from Police Station 6 show that the driver was reprimanded by the traffic enforcer because he violated some traffic rules and regulation particularly parking in a loading and unloading zone which is not allowed. Gamboa said that when the driver was warned to leave the unloading and loading premises, he got irritated suddenly stabbing the victim.