DUMAGUETE CITY – The city government here is bent on clearing the streets of undisciplined public transport drivers and efforts are now underway to review its existing ordinance on the operation of motorcycle-for-hire (MCH) units including "pedicabs" or tricycles.
This materialized following an incident over the weekend involving a pedicab driver who figured in a scuffle with Traffic Management Office (TMO) personnel.
A portion of a video captured by an onlooker showed a number of TMO personnel who appeared to be “mauling” the driver. The post that went viral on social media triggered some negative comments and criticisms from netizens.
However, it turned out later during a police investigation that the video did not show or tell the entire story, according to a statement from the City Hall.
City Public Information Officer Dems Rey Demecillo on Monday said the driver, identified as Ronard Bello Faburada, a resident of Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan town adjacent to this capital, was the “aggressor” and was armed with a 21-inch long steel pipe, which he used to assault Traffic Enforcer Reynaldo Jumawan Montebon twice.
The incident started with the tricycle driver’s refusal to convey a passenger from a department store in downtown Dumaguete last Friday.
TMO Officer Rowel Alabastro Abueva tried to intervene and demanded his driver’s license, but Faburada allegedly refused and sped away.
Later, the driver returned to the passenger loading area of the same department store, where the TMO officer boarded his unit and told him to proceed to the TMO Office, but Faburada reportedly picked up a passenger and proceeded to Pulantubig instead.
This prompted Abueva to call his fellow traffic enforcers for assistance and intercepted Faburada in Barangay Daro.
The TMO officers apprised Faburada of his violations - driving without a mayor’s permit, arrogance, and refusal to convey a passenger, but the latter allegedly pulled out the steel pipe and assaulted Montebon.
He also allegedly tried to attack the other TMO officers but was subdued by responding policemen.
Faburada is charged with Direct Assault and Disobedience and Resistance per the complaint of Montebon and Abueva.
He was arrested and detained at the City Police Station following the incident.
Demecillo explained that one must get a mayor’s permit to drive as it is a requirement for a driver to undergo a seminar conducted by the TMO on traffic laws, rules, and regulations. (PNA)
