Public apology sought from motorist who assaulted MMDA traffic enforcer


The head of an agency that looks after Metro Manila traffic demanded a public apology from Robert Blair Carabuena, the motorist who assaulted an officer after he was stopped from going through a congested intersection.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino made this announcement on Wednesday, a day after Carabuena assaulted traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros.

"Gusto ko rin makaharap kung sino man itong executive na ito at 'di lang ipaghingi ng paumanhin doon kay Saturnino kundi sa general public. Hindi maganda lalo na ngayon na kumakalat daw sa social network yung video, eh nakikita na rin po sa ibang bansa at parang 'di magandang imahe natin bilang mga driver," Tolentino said in an interview over Radyo Singko's Punto Asintado.

[I want to confront this executive and ask him to apologize not only to Saturnino but to the general public as well. Since the video is already circulating in social networks, other countries might have a wrong impression of our drivers.]

Tolentino also seeks to revoke Carabuena's driving license.

Carabuena, an executive human resources officer for Philip Morris Philippines, was driving through a congested intersection at Capitol Hills Drive corner Tandang Sora in Quezon City on Saturday when MMDA officer Fabros tried to stop him.

Agitated, Carabuena assaulted the traffic officer which was caught on video by TV5 producers.
Meanwhile, Fabros told Radyo Singko that he is willing to forgive Carbuenas.

"Ito po masasabi ko sa kanya, Mr. Robert Carabuena, yung ginawa niyo po sa akin, kung kayo po ay humihingi po ng tawad sa akin, okay lang po, kaya lang po yung ginawa niyo po sa akin sir, napahiya na po ako sa publiko, napahiya po talaga ako lalong lalo na po sa mga anak ko na sinabi nila nakita daw po nila sa TV," he said.

[This is what I will say to Mr. Robert Carabuena, if you will ask for forgiveness, it is okay. However, I was publicly humiliated especially after my children told me they saw everything on TV.]

According to Tolentino, cases of assaulted and mauled traffic officers was not new. Just last month, a traffic enforcer was also assaulted in front of a mall, says Tolentino.

The chairman further added that a case of an officer who was shot dead by an affluent driver is still pending at the court.

"Marami na po ito. Nakakalungkot nga na may mga driver tayo na mayayaman na nananakit at talagang abusado. So (kung) mayroon tayong mga abusadong bus driver, eh mayroon din tayong abusadong driver ng pribadong sasakyan," he said.

[We have numerous cases like this. Sadly, we have affluent drivers who are abusive. If we have abusive bus drivers, we also have abusive private car drivers.]

source: interaksyon.com