Motorist who 'threatened' MMDA constable faces usurpation charges

A motorist who allegedly tried to intimidate a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic constable in Mandaluyong City Friday faces charges of threats and usurpation..

 

But the motorist, initially identified as Samson Rivero, denied trying to scare constable Danilo Dagunot, radio dzBB reported early Saturday.

 

Dagunot had apprehended the driver of a BMW sedan for the illegal display of a commemorative plate at the EDSA-Ortigas area.

 

"Instead of cooperating, the driver started to get mad and (hysterical), then he showed his handgun," MMDA traffic discipline office head Yves Gonzalez quoted a Metrobase report as saying.

 

The Metrobase report said Dagunot was surprised but got the attention of police at the EDSA Ortigas ground level.

 

It said the parties concerned proceeded to the Mandaluyong City police station "for proper investigation."

 

Dagunot, in an interview aired on "24 Oras," said Rivero introduced himself as a policeman.

 

"Pulis ako. Ito ID ko, intelligence ako (I'm a policeman. Here's my ID, I'm an intelligence operative)," he recalled Rivero telling him.

 

He said he then saw Rivero seemingly about to draw his handgun.

 

But Rivero denied trying to intimidate Dagunot, saying he was running late for a meeting.

 

The dzBB report said Rivero may face charges of light threat and usurpation of authority.

 

Friday's incident came a month after an MMDA constable, Saturnino Fabros, flagged down motorist Robert Blair Carabuena, for a traffic violation in Quezon City.

 

Carabuena assaulted Fabros, who stood his ground. Unknown to Carabuena, however, his actions were caught on video, and he received much flak.

 

While Carabuena eventually apologized to Fabros and the public for his actions, the MMDA and Fabros are pushing through with the direct assault complaint they lodged against him. — ELR, GMA News