Pasay Mayor suspends traffic enforcer over extortion attempt

Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” G. Calixto has ordered the preventive suspension of a Pasay City traffic enforcer after an alleged extortion attempt on a motorist over a traffic violation along the Epifanio Delos Santos (EDSA) Extension.

The Mayor also ordered the City Legal Office and the Public Safety and Traffic Management Office to conduct an investigation into the said incident and report the findings to his office within five (5) working days.

"Bibigyan po natin ang Traffic Enforcer ng pagkakataong magpaliwanag. Ngunit kung lalabas sa imbestigasyon na siya’y lumabag sa batas, ‘e papatawan natin siya ng karampatang parusa," he said.
“Hindi po natin hahayaan na ang isang tulad niya ay makapagsasamantala sa iba. Kung sakali man pong may traffic violation ang isang tao, hindi dahilan iyon para siya ay makapangikil sa isang motorista," the city chief executive explained.
  
The traffic enforcer, identified as Al Villegas, reportedly asked for an amount from the motorist so that he will no longer issue a Traffic Violation Receipt (TVR). The conversation was allegedly recorded by the motorist using his cell phone which he later uploaded to the internet.

Calixto assured the public that there will be no white wash in their investigation and that they will not tolerate errant traffic enforcers or policemen in the service.

NEWS RELEASE By: Pasay City- Public Information Office

April 2, 2012