Traffic enforcer hit by motorcycle

CEBU, Philippines — A traffic enforcer in Mandaue City was hit by the motorcycle driven by a man found to have multiple traffic violations along M.L. Quezon St. in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City, last Monday night.

The Mandaue City Police Office-Traffic Management Unit, identified the victim as Cresencio Pinamayor Balili, 49, a member of the Traffic Enforcement Agency in Mandaue (TEAM), and a resident of Barangay Maguikay.

Investigation revealed that Balili, who was on duty with another traffic enforcer at the time, was conducting a motor-stop inspection on those who violated traffic rules that night when the incident happened around 8 p.m.

Among those flagged down by the enforcers was Ian Flores Atillo, 31, a resident of Katipunan Street, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, who was driving his motorcycle with license plate numbers GF3340. However, instead of slowing down, Atillo sped up his motorcycle towards Balili, hitting him in the hip and throwing him to the ground.

Glenn Antigua, chief of operations of TEAM, said Atillo was arrested shortly after he fell off his motorcycle after hitting Balili.

"Gipara siya’s unahan unya wala siya nihunong. Naratol na to siya wala na siya nakabantay sa enforcer," Antigua said.

Balili was rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue City for treatment.

"Ni-undergo siya'g CT scan unya karon mahibaw-an ang result," Antigua said, adding that Balili was still conscious as of yesterday.

The traffic department found out that Atillo had several traffic violations such as driving without a license, no helmet, no headlights, and for disregarding a traffic officer.

Antigua said they are considering filing attempted homicide or frustrated murder charges against Atillo.

The hospital expenses of Balili will be shouldered by Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing, according to Antigua.

"To the person that ran over my traffic enforcer and tried to run away. Consider yourself very lucky that the police got you before I did. They’re much kinder than I would have been," read Quisumbing's Facebook post last Monday evening. (FREEMAN)