CCTO enforcer on viral video denies accusation

CEBU, Philippines - The traffic enforcer caught on video berating a young woman asking for his assistance to help an old woman get a ride has surfaced yesterday to explain his side of the story following an investigation conducted by the Cebu City Transportation Office.

Bonifacio Legarde, a traffic enforcer for 28 years, denied the allegations posted on Facebook. He, however, admitted raising his voice at the young woman because he felt disrespected.

Bonifacio told the media that the video that went viral on Facebook did not present the whole story.

“Sa nag-upload sa video, manghinaut ko inday nga sa imong gibuhat nga pagpaka-uwaw sa akong pamilya, sa akong paryente ug sa mga kaila nako, unta mahinuklog ka og malamdagan sa ka sa imong gibuhat. Ug sa mga tawo unta kamo malamdagan nga inyo akong gihukman nga wala mo kahibawo sa unsay tinud-anay nga nahitabo,” he said.

The video, which was already deleted, caught Legarde shouting at the young woman. The Facebook post claimed that Legarde ignored the young woman until she asked him if he was “deaf.”

The incident happened on January 15 during the last day of the novena masses at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Legarde said he was manning the traffic and at the same time controlling the crowd when a paralytic man on a wheelchair needed his assistance to get a taxi ride.

Since taxi cabs were mostly occupied, it took almost an hour for the paralytic man to finally get a ride home. Legarde said he also noticed the old woman looking very exhausted, prompting him to ask her to wait because he had to attend to the paralytic first.

However, the young woman allegedly shouted at him and in a very disrespectful manner told him if he was deaf. Legarde said he was surprised by the conduct of the young woman prompting him to also raise his voice.

He denied threatening to slap the girl as what the latter reported on her Facebook post. At least two traffic enforcers vouched for Legarde.

CCTO executive director lawyer Rey Gealon said the testimony of Legarde and the two enforcers will be taken into consideration in the ongoing investigation.

Legarde said the young woman has already communicated with his daughter and asked if they could settle the matter. Legarde said the girl should see him in person and make a public apology. — (FREEMAN)