Driver rapped for firing gun at LTO personnel

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A motorcycle rider is now behind bars after shooting at personnel of the Land Transportation Office-Region 6 (LTO-6) that apprehended him along the Coastal Road at Brgy. Bitoon of Jaro district in this city.

Marlon Velez, chief of the LTO-6 Regional Law Enforcement Service, also confirmed they have filed criminal cases of frustrated homicide and direct assault against Jeoley Jimanig, 28, a native of Brgy. Buga, Igbaras, Iloilo.

"We have to pursue the case because we also have to protect our personnel who were just implementing traffic laws and regulations," Velez said.

LTO employees Jose Mariano Ponte, Rodel Magbanua, Stephen John Salcedo, and Ernie de Tioson accused Jimanig of firing at them after they arrested the latter for driving a motorcycle while wearing slippers.

A motorcycle driver not wearing appropriate footwear (in Jimanig's case, a pair of slipper), is in violation to LTO Administrative Order 2005-015, Velez said.

Ponte, the team leader, then moved for the confiscation of the suspect's driver's license. But before leaving the area, Jimanig was quoted to have said: "Nami maniro sang tawo."

It was surmised that the suspect proceeded to his boarding house, some 70-80 meters from where he was apprehended. Shortly after, Jimanig was allegedly seen firing his gun in the air four times, and then aimed his gun to where the four LTO personnel were, and again fired it thrice.

The LTO men readily took cover and were not hit. They quickly left the place and went to Police Station 3 to ask for assistance. Policemen in turn responded to the crime scene and arrested Jimanig. "He did not deny firing his gun but he reasoned out that it was licensed," Velez said.

Despite what happened, Velez said they would continue to implement pertinent traffic rules and regulations like Republic Act 10054 (Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010).

"Since our personnel have no issued firearm, we just advised them to be courteous all the time. They must explain, in a nice way, to motorists what their violations are," said Velez, adding that they have yet to discuss ways for police security when doing highway operations. - THE FREEMAN