TV5 ready to lend MMDA uncut video showing assault on traffic enforcer

MANILA, Philippiens - The TV5 management will help Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros by providing him a copy of the uncut video showing how he was assaulted by a Philip Morris International (PMI) executive in Capitol Hills, Quezon City last Saturday.

TV5 said the uncut video, shown on its public service program T3 would help the MMDA bolster its case against PMI's Robert Blair Carabuena. Earlier in the day, MMDA said it would file direct assault charges against Carabuena.

"Kahapon nga po nasabi namin at maging po ang TV5 management (that) we’re willing to help out po. We’re willing to lend our video, 'yong uncut po sa korte," T3's host Erwin Tulfo said on his radio show, Punto Asintado on Wednesday.

[Yesterday, we said as well as the management of TV5 that we're willing to help out. We're willing to lend our uncut video to be used at the court.]

Meanwhile, Tulfo said that TV5 was still open to give Carabuena a chance to explain his side. - with Romsanne R. Ortiguero

source: interaksyon.com

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

MMDA sues Carabuena for assaulting traffic enforcer

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday filed a criminal complaint against a Philip Morris executive who beat up a traffic enforcer in Quezon City last Saturday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he has directed the agency’s Legal Service to file direct assault charges against Robert Blair Carabuena, Philip Morris recruitment officer, on behalf of Traffic Constable Saturnino Fabros.

The criminal complaint was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City, Tolentino said.

“We cannot allow this aggression and shameless attack against our men who are only doing their job as best as they can, regardless of the risks they face in the streets every day,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino added that as the assault on Fabros is also an attack against the MMDA, he demanded that Carabuena issue a public apology.

“We at the MMDA condemn to the highest degree the physical assault perpetrated by an abusive and violent motorist on our hapless traffic enforcer who was just enforcing traffic laws,” he said.

“This, I believe, is the last thing the MMDA can afford. It defames the person of Mr. Saturnino Fabros, the undersigned as chief executive of the office, as well as the MMDA’s,” Tolentino added.

According to Tolentino, Fabros was just doing his job dutifully as a traffic enforcer.

“The actions of Mr. Robert Blair Carabuena showed total disregard for a person of authority and a blatant disrespect for the law,” Tolentino said.

“A public apology is demanded from Mr. Carabuena, not only for Mr. Fabros, but for the entire Authority, which he unjustly and intentionally offended,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said all support will be given by the agency to Fabros “in his search for justice in the proper court.”

“I urge the MMDA community to continue the good work that we have shown for the past years, and because of your support and cooperation, we have served the public and achieved our mission with sincerity, and integrity. Keep in mind that this incident should not have happened in the first place. Nonetheless, I trust that this unfortunate spectacle shall become an example for all motorists on how to behave and conduct themselves,” Tolentino said in a statement.

Carabuena was caught on video slapping Fabros several times over a traffic violation. Fabros said he had tried to apprehend Carabuena after he ignored the stop signal at the corner of Capitol Drive and Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said he will also ask the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to cancel Carabuena’s driver’s license as “abusive and arrogant motorists like him, who obviously do not have serious regard to the rule of law, have no right to be in the road in the first place.”

Under the Revised Penal Code, direct assault is charged to any person who shall attack, employ force, or seriously intimidate or resist any person in authority or any of his agents, while engaged in the performance of official duties. Direct assault is punishable by a prison term of six months to six years.

source: philstar.com