Truck driver, policeman engage in traffic dispute

A traffic altercation between a policeman and a truck driver on Friday dawn in Gen. Maxilom Avenue had two contrasting stories.

The 21-year-old truck driver, Isidro Fabillar, accused the policeman, SPO4 Jaime Iligan, of striking him with a gun while the policeman countered that the truck hit the policeman's car and the driver tried to escape.

Based on police records provided by Fuente policeman PO1 Dexter Costillas, the two figured in a vehicular accident and got into an argument with both accusing each other of liability.

Fabillar, a resident of Kinasang-an Pardo, was driving a mini-truck (license plate GED-391) from the northern part of the city when upon reaching Gen. Maxilom Avenue the policeman allegedly blocked his way, accused him of hitting the policeman's car then pistol-whipped him.

Iligan, a resident of N. Bacalso Avenue but detailed to the Toledo City Police, denied the accusation of brutality saying that Fabillar hit his car. He then asked Fabillar to get out of the truck to answer to the violation.

Iligan said he was driving his multicab with his wife Eufenia and relatives from Ayala but, when they reached the corner of Asilo dela Milagrosa Church, the mini-dumptruck of Fabillar hit his multicab.

Instead of stopping, the truck continued its way in an apparent effort to escape and this prompted Iligan to give chase. The policeman managed to block Fabillar's way at Gen. Maxilom Avenue.

Iligan said he introduced himself as policeman to Fabillar, then ordered the latter to disembark but Fabillar and his companions refused. This drove Iligan to draw his gun, pointed it to Fabillar with the order to disembark from the truck. Iligan then had to pull Fabillar out.

“Siguro sa kusog nakong bunlot niya kay wala man gyud manaog napakong siguro to pero dili intawon tinood nga akong gisukmag ginamit ang armas ‘ napakong lang to seguro madahan police ta unya kita na hinooy mosupak sa pagpatuman sa balaod,” Iligan explained.

Iligan also said that Fabillar even admitted that he hit something while driving his truck but changed his statements when the traffic enforcers arrived at the scene.

Iligan said he would face whatever charges the driver would file against him but he wanted him to pay for the damage incurred in the side of his multicab. – Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE