CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has terminated yesterday the traffic enforcer who was caught by police during an anti-illegal drugs operation on Imus Avenue last Monday.
He told reporters that under his administration he will not tolerate such act.
"He's terminated already. You know what I say basta like I said, in my religion, I have only one commandment, don't get caught. Simple kaayo," Osmeña said.
Last Monday, traffic enforcer Joselito "Magu" Cabije, 34, was arrested along with Ronnie Sabanal, 40, in an anti-drug operation conducted by operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Group-Central Visayas.
Authorities confiscated at least 85 grams of shabu valued at P885,000 by the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Cabije and Sabanal will be facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
When Osmeña was asked by reporters if he has any plans to conduct a random drug test on traffic enforcers to ensure that the agency is drug-free, he said, "Everyone undergoes drug test here. There is no need at this point to have everybody tested because one traffic enforcer has committed that violation."
He added that before conducting measures, as a mayor, he should "weigh the pros and cons of it. "
"When you manage something, you have to weigh the pros and cons that it might really be counter-productive in the specific situation," Osmeña said.
In a separate interview, Cebu City Transportation Office operation's chief Francisco "Isko" Ouano said he immediately dismissed from service the traffic enforcer after receiving word from the mayor.
"Sigon pa sa mayor nga kontra gyud na niya ang ingon ana so wala'y duha-duha wala gyud nato dawata ang hangyo sa traffic enforcer," he said.
It was on August 2016 that Cabije was hired as traffic enforcer by the city.
The termination of Cabije serves as a warning to others to not do illegal acts as the city government will not tolerate them, according to Ouano.
"Pahimangno nato nila nga dili magbuhat og bati kay sa wala'y pagpili-pili bisa'g kinsa pa na ilahang backer tangtangon gyud kay nagpakauwaw lang na sa atong department and sa mayor," Ouano said. (FREEMAN)