Traffic enforcer in viral video cited

MANILA, Philippines — Netizens commended a traffic constable for his patience when he was at the receiving end of verbal abuse from the husband of a Department of Justice prosecutor who tried to get out of paying a P200 fine for illegal parking last week.

Facebook user Ejay Pangilinan said he salutes Lharry Azures for being calm even when Mark Roland Estepa, the husband of prosecutor Christine Villamora Estepa, verbally attacked him.

“Napaka-humble ni manong and he showed concern on his face when the driver’s husband is blaming him for his wife’s fault,” Pangilinan commented on one of Azures’ photos, taken by Dr. Kellyn Sy, that went viral on Facebook. 

He said dealing with erring motorists is no longer new to him since he has been with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) since the time of former chairman Bayani Fernando in 2008. 

Azures said he does not bear any grudge against the couple as he has already forgiven them even if they did not personally apologize to him. 

The Estepas issued a public apology at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City a few days after they received flak on social media. 

Azures said they shook his hand as they were in a hurry to go to the chairman’s office. He responded with a smile.

The 42-year-old constable, a father to two teenage daughters, said his wife and eldest daughter asked why he allowed Estepa’s husband to treat him badly.

Rather than argue, he explained the nature of his job and told them about his love of working to help bring order to Metro Manila’s traffic.

 He said that his wife and daughter told him they were proud of him and encouraged him to go on being a good example to other traffic enforcers.

Azures was an account executive of a telecommunications firm before joining the MMDA and used to receive a higher salary than that of an enforcer.

“Nabubuhay po kasi ang dugo sa kalsada kasi araw-araw, iba-ibang mga klase ng sitwasyon ang nakakaharap namin (I feel alive on the street because we encounter different situations everyday),” he said of his decision to enter government service.