Ex - NYC official cries foul over "unfair" treatment by tow firm

CEBU, Philippines - A former commissioner of the National Youth Commission has protested the alleged unfair manner by which One-Stop Towing Services, one of the two towing firms hired by the city, implements traffic laws.

Michael Francis Lopez, former NYC commissioner for the Visayas, told The Freeman he was shocked upon discovering that his car, which he parked at a pay parking zone along F. Ramos Street the other night, disappeared from the area and it was only an employee of another establishment who told him his car had been towed.

Because the area was not well lit, Lopez said it was only later that he found the notice from the towing company, which was attached to a tree.

Lopez said the towing was unreasonable because aside from the absence of any prior warning, the notice was reportedly posted at a dark area, which made it barely visible.

He argued that he specifically parked beside the pay parking sign because he believed it would be safe to park there, considering that the sign only says the pay parking rule only applies between 7am to 7pm. The sign does not indicate further stipulations after 7pm and does not specifically prohibit parking at the area, he said.

“What I learned is that what the law does not include, it excludes. Where then can we park in Cebu City?” Lopez said.

He reportedly parked his car past 9pm and learned of the towing past 11pm.

Lopez said the restaurant where he and his friends had dinner was a distance away from the parking area but he still chose to park there because “I have always been a law-abiding citizen and I have been very cautious of where to park.”

“Nahadlok gyud ko. Kinsa may dili? I could have been robbed,” Lopez said.

After learning of the towing, he reportedly immediately went to the office of the City Traffic Operations Management but he was told to return in the morning despite some of the CITOM personnel still in the office.

Lopez said he spoke with CITOM head Arnel Tancinco the next day and he was advised to file a formal complaint in relation to the incident. Still, he had to pay the corresponding fine to claim his vehicle.

Lopez said he has nothing against fees and fines and supports any initiative for the city to earn revenues “as long as it’s not in ways as unreasonable as this.”

“Not all people know about the rules, so much more that the signs are not in order,” Lopez said.

He said towing personnel should also consider the safety of the vehicle owner. He also called for the City Council to revisit the ordinance being applied in towing vehicles and evaluate its implementation.

In a separate interview, Councilor Jakosalem, a member of the CITOM Board, said he understands the side of the complainant considering that Lopez made sure he did not violate any laws.

Jakosalem said the city welcomes complaints like that of Lopez’ so that the existing ordinance can be revisited and improved, albeit admitting that there are still many that remain unaware of the ordinance.

Jakosalem said the guidelines in towing vehicles are now being reviewed by the City Council’s committee on laws, as well as the observations of the Ad Hoc Committee on Towing matters. — AJ A. de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)