Last Feb. 21, I was fetched by my daughter at Naia Terminal 3. While driving toward Villamor, we were flagged down by a green-uniformed traffice enforcer who claimed that my daughter made a traffic violation for taking the left lane. She explained to the traffic officer that she did not see any sign to that effect.
I wanted to go down and verify the sign he was citing, but he stopped me from going down because he said we might be seen by the CCTV. Then he started to mention that the violation would cost my daughter P3,500 and that she had to take a seminar and go through the trouble of claiming her license in the Land Transportation Office. The hint was very obvious. He was trying to scare my daughter so that she will offer to pay a lesser amount.
My daughter said she did not have P3,500. The traffic officer said, he was willing to deduct his commission and was willing to receive P1,500. My daughter, who had a scheduled business meeting, pleaded for the officer to excuse her this time. The officer was adamant. I pitied my daughter who was begging and explaining that she didn’t see the road sign. I pulled out some money from my pocket (P1,200) which the traffic cop grabbed immediately. He also grabbed a P20 bill from the hand of my daughter. Then he walked toward his companion (another traffic enforcer) on a motorcycle and they drove away immediately toward Pasay. Incidentally, they had no name tags on their uniforms.
We are giving this information to warn other motorists who may become victims of these notorious traffic cops manning the corner near Resorts World. I understand many have become victims of these kotong enforcers.
—CRES C. BENDIJO,
CCBendijo@Philplans.com.ph