Traffic aides in Bacoor ‘taser’ incident suspended for 30 days

Three traffic enforcers from the Bacoor Traffic Management Department (BTMD) are under a 30-day preventive suspension after electrocuting motorists with a taser in the middle of an argument over a traffic violation.

According to BTMD officer-in-charge Atty. Dolores Yumol in a report by “Balitanghali” on Wednesday, the suspension order was issued right after the incident as the traffic enforcers were in clear violation of the rules of engagement.

The Bacoor Local Government also  issued a statement saying that abuse committed by government workers would not be tolerated.

“Right after the incident, nag-issue na kami ng suspension order—preventive suspension for 30 days. Nag-appear kahapon ang complainant, personally, kay Mayor Strike Revilla and ina-advice sila to file the charges. Kailangan natin 'yan as part of the due process,” Yumol said.

She added, “The Mayor also instructed the police chief of Bacoor to pursue the investigation, apart from the administrative charges that are being undertaken by the City Legal Office.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, the complainants have yet to file a formal complaint.

The Bacoor Traffic Management Department, on the other hand, is awaiting clearance from the Commission on Elections for the recommendation of a high offense against the traffic enforcers.

Yumol said, “Hindi sila nagpunta sa City Legal Office and we're waiting na mag-report sa chief of police, pero wala pa rin until now. 'Yun ang hinihintay namin. We are not tolerating this kind of beyond-authority acts ng enforcers namin.”

“Administratively, naka-suspend ang traffic enforcers right now. Kinukuha lang namin ang clearance from the Comelec if possible na mai-recommend natin for higher offense. Right now kasi may mga election ban tayo,” she added.

The BPMD officer-in-charge also clarified that the device used to “shock” the motorists are not any kind of high-end tasers, as opposed to earlier reports about the incident.

A video showing the truck driver arguing with the traffic enforcers became viral this week. The driver insisted he did not commit any traffic violation.

According to Yumol, “Sa initial investigation, sa tapat ng SM Molino and Oasis Hotel, there is a pedestrian lane. Pinapahinto sila doon to give way to pedestrians. Unfortunately, na-disregard nila ang order ng traffic enforcer. May violation sila doon kasi muntik masagasaan ang traffic enforcer at ang pedestrian.”

The traffic enforcers proceeded to electrocute the passengers of the truck. Although the act was not seen, the video captured flashes of light and the shouts of the men. -Bianca Rose Dabu/NB, GMA News