Traffic authorities in Mandaue City yesterday warned motorists to be wary about the presence of seven former city traffic aides who are believed to be on the prowl for would-be victims of their illegal activities.
Edwin Ermac, chief for operations of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said the rogue traffic aides wear “Type B” uniforms and flash their old Team identification cards which were cancelled after they were dismissed by City Hall for their nefarious activities.
Ermac said they are keeping the names of the seven rogue traffic aides under wraps as no one has stepped forward to file a complaint against them.
The gang reportedly operates along the North Road in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.
Ermac said the seven were dismissed last year after they were caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras engaging in suspicious activities.
Settlement
Ermac said there were several complaints against them in the past on how they dealt with traffic violators.
Ermac said apprehended motorists complained they were told to pay fines ranging from P200 to P1,000 but the traffic enforcers would suggest that they settle the case in exchange for an amount lesser than the fines provided for by law.
Ermac said they’re hoping that someone would have the courage to file charges against the gang.
“It is hard to catch them since they know the Team personnel assigned in a particular area,” Ermac said.
Ermac is appealing to motorists who were victimized or have witnessed how the suspected extortionists operate to go to the Team command center or call telephone numbers 239-7386.
/XAVIER UNIVERSITY AND CNU INTERNS IRISH MAIKA LAM AND ROSEMARIE CANANEA