45 erring drivers ordered arrested

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) has issued warrants of arrest against 45 drivers who allegedly ignored payments of fines for traffic violations.

Jonathan Tumulak, operations chief of the City Traffic Operations Management, said some of the drivers were apprehended for violations reaching at least a hundred counts and with fines reaching more than P100,000.

 One of the drivers was apprehended once on the road for disregarding a “no left turn” sign, but since his license was not confiscated, he allegedly ignored the se-ven-day reglementary period for settling his P500 fine.

MTCC Judge Monalila Tecson issued the warrants against the drivers months after the cases against them were filed.

Tumulak said CITOM has formed a combined team of traffic enforcers and policemen from the PNP Traffic Group to trace the whereabouts of the drivers so they can be turned over to the court and trial for their cases can start.

 â€œDaghan niini nga mga drayber mga tag-iya og private vehicles sama sa usa ka university student nga nadakpan lang og kausa apan wala magtagad pagbayad sa iyang multahan mao nga gikiha og nalutsan og warrant,” Tumulak said.

The team proceeded to the house of the university student yesterday but the student was reportedly not around.

Tumulak requested drivers who were apprehended and had been issued a traffic citation ticket to verify their case with the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB).

Tumulak said CITOM had already coordinated with the Land Transportation Office so that  drivers  who are cited for traffic violations would have to get clearance from CITOM before their licenses can be released by LTO./JMO  (FREEMAN)