Traffic head says cops protecting dispatchers

City Traffic Operations Management executive officer Arnel Tancinco believes illegal dispatchers in the city are enjoying the protection of some policemen. 

“Nagduda g’yod ko nga dunay mga polis nga nag-protect ani nila og maoy rason nga dili sila mahadlok nga madakpan,” said Tancinco.

He said although there are about nine to 17 dispatchers apprehended in Cebu City every week, the apprehension was only conducted by the Traffic Group’s anti-dispatching unit and none from the police stations.

“Kaniadto dihang ang mga police stations maoy gitahasan pagpanakop sa mga dispatchers, wala gihapon sila manakop, labaw na ron nga dia na gitahas namo ug sa traffic group ang pagpatuman sa anti-dispatching ordinance,” said Tancinco.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., chairman of the committee on public order and safety of the Cebu City Council, also shared the same view.

“Until now the dispatchers in Manila Bank in Colon Street and Fuente Osmeña are still there despite several requests to the anti-dispatching unit of the PNP traffic group to have them apprehended,” Pe stressed.

He observed that many dispatchers are even operating near police stations like Fuente Osmeña, which is near the Fuente police station, while the Parian police station also failed to act against dispatchers operating at Colon corner D. Jakosalem Street. 

Pe also blamed the Carbon police station for not apprehending the dispatchers in Colon St.

Cebu City Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said he cannot confirm if there are indeed policemen who are receiving money from the operations of these dispatchers.

But he said he will issue a new order for the policemen in different police stations to intensify the campaign against the illegal dispatchers in their respective areas.

Likewise, he added that he will instruct the beat patrol policemen to strictly implement the anti-dispatching ordinance.

“Gidasig nako ang mga bag-ong polis nga nag “on the job training” nga manakop sila ug malapason sa mga ordinansa kay kon wala sila’y madakpan, wala silay day-off,” Comendador said.

Tancinco supports Pe’s suggestion that the city’s existing anti-dispatching ordinance should be amended to require violators to render civic duties instead of having them pay P5,000 or serving the penalty of up to one year imprisonment.

Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, who chaired city council’s committee on traffic management, is hoping that the new amendment on the ordinance will discourage the dispatchers and “watch your car” boys from pursuing their illegal activities.

“Kaming mga drayber malipay g’yod kon mangawala na kining mga dispatchers kay daku kaayo ang among mahatag nila sa tibuok adlaw,” one of the jeepney drivers told The FREEMAN.

The existing anti-dispatching ordinance defines “dispatching” as an act of procuring, soliciting, or escorting passengers or would-be passengers to any passenger vehicles whether such act is done under direction of the driver or operators and done with or without collecting or demanding fees.  — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB