Two more drivers fall

CEBU, Philippines - Two more drivers with the most number of violations were arrested in Katipunan Street, Cebu City yesterday.

The arrest of Ramen Dela Cerna and Eduardo Evilla brought to 11 the numbers of drivers apprehended through a joint operation by policemen and members of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

The arrest was made by virtue of the 32 bench warrants issued by Municipal Trial Court In Cities (MTCC) Judge Monalila Tecson last August 12 where CITOM and City Legal office expressed seriousness in pursuing legal steps to discipline drivers plying the roads in the city.

Further, Tecson has issued 58 more bench warrants against drivers who have failed to settle the penalty for various traffic violations they committed in Cebu City.

The operation yesterday was spearheaded by PO2 Adrian Cagalitan from the PNP Traffic Group and Malou Alferez of CITOM.

Cagalitan hails from Argao town, Cebu while Dela Cerna is from Aloguinsan, said CITOM operations head Joy Tumulak.

Records reveal that Cagalitan has 226 violations with six cases filed against him and an unsettled P91,000 penalty. Dela Cerna, meanwhile, has 216 violations with five cases filed against him and an unsettled P75,000 fine.

Tumulak sought the help of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) in serving the bench warrant for erring drivers after CITOM noticed that the drivers have left the city to evade arrest.

“Duna koy meeting ganina with provincial police director Sr./Supt. Noel Gillamac to ask for help and support from the provincial police office… Positive ang resulta sa meeting,” the CITOM official said.

He added that bench warrants for drivers with outstanding violations have been sent to different police stations around the province to speed up arrest of these evading drivers.

CITOM is waiting for positive feedback from the police stations and hoped that by next week, more arrests will be reported by CPPO, Tumulak said.  (FREEMAN)