Joy Adalia
A traffic cop has been allegedly been charging motorists with trumped up traffic violations.
Couple Anthony and Anna Dio claimed they were making a turn from Lacson to España with around three seconds left on the green light counter when a traffic enforcer they identified as Rubic L. Saraza #0938 made motions that appeared to allow them to go; and then perhaps changing his mind, motioned for them to stop instead.
Preparing their registration papers as they thought the officer would be asking for them (their car was due for a registration update at the time), the couple was surprised to hear the officer tell them they incurred a traffic violation by turning on a red light.
They tried explaining that the light was still green when they turned and that Officer Saraza had first appeared to allow them to go, but the Saraza refused to listen to their explanation. He then demanded for Anthony to hand over his license. When Anthony asked why he had to hand the officer his license, the traffic enforcer rudely called Anthony “gago”, mocking him that he was like a child for asking.
When the officer allegedly insinuated that Anthony did not have a license, the couple decided to show it to him at which point Saraza grabbed it out of Anthony’s hands. According to Anna’s now viral post on Facebook, Officer Saraza then walked to his motorcycle to get his tickets.
Anthony refused to accept the ticket which stated he turned on a red light, so the traffic officer placed the ticket on the dashboard and walked away.
Feeling harassed by the officer’s behavior, the couple turned to the police officer in the area but were merely told the police do not have jurisdiction over the incident. Unless there was a brawl, the police officers supposedly could not intervene.
The Dio couple was left with no choice but tofile a formal complaint even if it meant wasting their time on the formalities of filing a case. The two wanted to teach the traffic enforcer a lesson as he had no right to disrespect motorists.
In her Facebook post, Anna also warned other motorists to beware of this modus operandi as they might be victimized as well.
Here’s Anna’s original post:
Fellow motorists, BEWARE!
This Manila traffic enforcer by the name of Rubic L. Saraza #0938 is the most arrogant and disrespectful enforcer we have ever encountered.
We were turning right to Lacson from España about 3 seconds left on green light, and Saraza waved his hand as if signaling us to turn. Then he suddenly gestured us to stop. Thinking that he was just going to check for the car registration (since the car was due for May), we already prepared the papers to show proof of registration. But to our surprise, he suddenly said that we turned on red light.
That’s when I realized that it was probably his modus and a way of making up false violations. We explained to him that it was still green when we turned, and refused to surrender Anthony’s license. Anthony said that he could’ve just easily signaled us to stop if indeed we were about to turn on red, but his waving gesture (as if making us go) was contrary to it.
That’s when Saraza began to snap and asked us to show Anthony’s license “para matapos na at makaalis na daw kami.” When Anthony asked why he had to, Saraza said “GAGO ka pala e, para kang bata nagtatanong ka pa.” Then he began to insinuate that maybe Anthony didn’t have a license. So we decided to SHOW the license to prove otherwise, but Saraza deliberately grabbed it from Anthony’s hand and immediately left to get his ticket booklet from his motorcycle. Nagdadabog pa sya in the process, mumbling on his own.
When Anthony refused to take the ticket, he just left it on the dashboard and walked back to the intersection. We immediately complained about this to the police officer on site but he said that the only recourse we have is to file a formal complaint. Apparently, traffic enforcers are not under their jurisdiction and their involvement is limited to criminal incidents only (not even sure if that’s true).
This experience made me realize and understand why some motorists end up hurting traffic enforcers. I’m not saying that it’s right to do that. But enforcers like Saraza can really get to your nerves no matter how hard you try to keep your cool. I’m glad Anthony was able to control his temper.
If, for the sake of argument, Anthony did commit a violation, this doesn’t give Saraza the right to be rude & arrogant and even use words like “gago.” Who the hell does he think he is?!
We are determined to file a complaint against Saraza. To some, it might seem to be a waste of time, but traffic enforcers like him should learn that they have no right to disrespect motorists in any way, nor abuse the authority that the government has given them to SERVE the public. Let this be a lesson to all.
To our fellow motorists, beware of this modus. Let us all be vigilant in order to put a stop to senseless and abusive acts like this. If you know anyone who might be able to assist us on this matter, please let us know. Feel free to share.
