The Valenzuela City government on Thursday, July 18, announced that a traffic enforcer has filed criminal charges against two Manila police officers.
In a press conference, Ronaldo David, 42, from the city's Traffic Management Office (TMO), said that he filed charges against two Manila Police District (MPD) personnel, identified as Police Sgts. Ernesto Camacho and Masong Cabudoy, for assaulting him.
David narrated that around 4:30 a.m. on July 14, he was riding a motorcycle along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Barangay Mabolo, Valenzuela City, when he noticed two men on motorcycles.
He observed that the riders were not wearing helmets and were only wearing slippers, which are considered violation of traffic rules in the city.
Before he could approach them, the two individuals, who were later identified as Manila police officers from Delpan Police Station 12, immediately blocked his path.
Camacho drew his gun and pointed it at David's stomach. The victim's motorcycle fell down as he clutched his abdomen.
The tension escalated when Cabudoy also drew his gun and threatened to kill him.
“Gusto mo patayin na kita dito? (Do you want me to kill you right here?),” David quoted Cabudoy as saying.
Fortunately, Cpl. James Dale Vargas Dela Peña, another police officer, intervened to diffuse the situation.
Dela Peña handed the victim’s helmet and instructed him to calm down to prevent the situation from escalating further.
However, the suspects took advantage of the distraction and quickly fled towards Barangay Malanday.
David reported the alleged physical assault to the Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) on July 15.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian said that the city government has enforced City Ordinance Blg. 1083, Series of 2023, in line with the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023.
The ordinance mandates proper attire for motorcycle riders, which includes wearing of helmets.
Gatchalian said that his administration does not tolerate arrogant police officers, stressing that any kind of misconduct has no place in the city.
“Dito po sa Valenzuela, ang mga taga Valenzuela po ay may disiplina, gayundin ang mga miyembro ng kapulisan. Kami po’y nagtatrabaho nang maayos, namumuhay dito nang may disiplina. Hindi ho welcome ang mga bastos na pulis dito sa aming lugar [at] ‘wag kayong pupunta [rito] na [nagsisiga-sigaan], na akala niyo e, porke’t pulis kayo ay mas mataas kayo sa mga traffic enforcer (Here in Valenzuela, the people are disciplined, as well as our police officers. We work and live here with discipline. Arrogant police officers are not welcome in our area. Don't come here acting tough, thinking just because you're police officers, you're above traffic enforcers),” he said.
Due to David's bravery, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian presented him with a certificate of recognition and a P10,000 reward for courageously fulfilling his duties despite risking his life.
On the other hand, the Manila Police District (MPD) immediately responded by relieving the two officers from their posts and confiscating their service firearms.
MPD Chief Colonel (Col.) Arnold Thomas Ibay vowed cooperation to expedite the progress of the cases filed against the two suspects in their custody.
It was also announced that the officers involved will face charges for grave threats and physical injuries.