MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2012) – An executive of tobacco giant Philip Morris in the Philippines is facing criminal charges after he mauled a traffic enforcer in a fit of rage caught on tape by a television news crew.
The incident was shown on ABC 5 and the video, uploaded on the social media network Facebook, drew tens of thousands of hate comments against Philip Morris’ recruitment officer Robert Carabuena for beating up Saturnino Fabros, a traffic constable for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Fabros said he had tried to apprehend Crabuena after he ignored the stop signal in Quezon City. The incident occurred on Saturday.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said they filed criminal charges on Wednesday against Carabuena for assaulting Fabros.
“We cannot allow this aggression and shameless attack against our men who are only doing their jiob as best as they can, regardless of the risks they face in the streets every day,” Tolentino said in a statement.
He also demanded a public apology from Carabuena, saying, the assault on Fabros is also an attack against MMDA.
Tolentino said he will ask the Land Transportation Office to revoke Carabuena’s driver’s license. If found guilty, Carabuena faces 6 months to six years in jail term.
“As with all of our men who were attacked and intimidated by undisciplined motorists while performing their duties, we will see to it that justice if served to Mr. Fabros,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino earlier condemned the attack on Fabros.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Wednesday commended the media and citizens for their vigilance.
“We commend our vigilant citizens who actively seek accountability from individuals in both the public and private sectors. A video taken by Karen Bernadette Keith, a researcher for the “T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita” program of TV5, showing a person assaulting an enforcer of the Metro Manila Development Authority was circulated online and sparked outrage among our fellow citizens through social media. As a direct result of the exposé, the MMDA is set to file charges against the motorist.”
“Public engagement is the bedrock of democracy. It is at its most potent and powerful when the constant scrutiny of the citizenry serves as a deterrent to the illicit and unlawful. Let us all continue to channel our efforts towards permanently changing our individual and collective behavior for the better,” he said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. (Mindanao Examiner)
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