Radio blocktimer caught on video insulting, threatening Citom traffic enforcer

A man (in crash helmet) introduced himself as a radio commentator and government worker insulted and threatened a Citom traffic enforcer after flagging him for traffic violations. (FACEBOOK GRAB)

A radio blocktimer insulted and threatened a Cebu City traffic enforcer who refused his request not to be issued a ticket.

The man who introduced himself as Roger Cimafranca, a blocktimer of radio station dyLA and a liaison officer of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) told traffic enforcer Lyndon Ocampo, that he wields enough influence to order his transfer.

Cimafranca drove a motorcycle with two companions seated at the back in violation of traffic laws at the South Road Properties (SRP). His two companions had no helmets on when Ocampo flagged them.

Ocampo, a Cebu City Traffic Operations (Citom) enforcer, turned on his mobile video camera on and placed it on his shirt pocket to record his exchange with Cimafranca.

Cimafranca’s motorcycle bore a Land Transportation Office (LTO) sticker, and another sticker that says ‘Media’ at the rear of his motorcycle.

“Kabaw ko sayop ko but strikto kaayo. Pahangyo man gani ang LTO na unsa ra man ka…Dili ba ni hangyo ko nimo, ABC akong kauban ihatod ko sa unahan. Huwata lang pila ka semana. Wala ko mahadlok. Kabaw ka na casual raka. Pila na ka Citom ako gihangyo ni Mayor Michael Rama na ibutang sa basurahan (I know I’m wrong but you’re too strict. I can request LTO, what is wrong with you?…Didn’t I ask you a favor, my companion is from the ABC and I am fetching him. Just wait for a few weeks. I am not afraid, you know you’re a casual. I asked Mayor Michael Rama several times to junk Citom enforcers),” Cimafranca was heard ranting in the footage.

The dyLA station clarified that Cimafranca is not their employee but hosts a paid  program entitled “Kabarangayan (Village)” every Saturday.  Cimafranca has two time-slots in the station, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“As a blocktimer at dyLA, the management’s authority over him is limited to the way he should handle his progarams and make sure that he meets the requirements of the KBP broadcast code to be allowed to handle a radio program,” dyLA station manager Jun Tagalog said.

Tagalog said while Cimafranca handled his program professionally, his abusive behavior towards Ocampo is a shameful act.

“What he did to the traffic enforcer was a plain and simple abuse of his access to the dyLA microphones.  dyLA condemns in the strongest possible terms of such abuse of Mr. Cimafranca and will never condone such shameful act.  Henceforth, the dyLA management will not allow Mr. Cimafranca to use his upcoming programs to continue to berate, warn and insult the concerned traffic enforcer,” Tagalog said.

Cebu Daily News tried but was unable to contact Cimafranca who didn’t answer repeated calls for an interview./ with Grace II Pecaoco