NO MERCY FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATORS

Starting Monday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will no longer give adjudication to traffic violators in the city.

Earlier, the mayor said he would allow adjudication to settle violations of motorcycle drivers and let them pay a fine of P5.

“Effective Monday, no more adjudication on clamping. No more adjudication on past records,” he told reporters.

Osmeña also emphasized that he will not exempt anyone from the clamping violation, including his allies and supporters of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

List of impounded vehicles

He said he did not even exempt his political leader in Barangay Busay when her jeepneys were clamped and it was discovered that she owes P700,000 as penalty for past violations.

Meanwhile, he said that fewer vehicles have been apprehended for counterflowing.

As of yesterday, 300 motorcycles were impounded, 20 private cars, three taxis and three jeepneys, said Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Operations Chief Francisco Ouano.

In a related development, Osmeña said the City will file a case against the owner of the car who destroyed the clamp on his vehicle yesterday.

“We will file (a) criminal case gainst the car owner. Impound forever, not 30 days, until he’s convicted because that’s an evidence of the crime,” he said.

Identified

The car was clamped for illegal parking on Ponce 1, Gen. Maxilom Ext. I Barangay Carreta.

Supt. Conrado Manatad, chief of the Traffic Patrol Group (TPG), told reporters that the Honda City of a certain Melbert Destriza, 27 was waiting to be towed.

“After the personnel of the CCTO and the TPG clamped his vehicle and were on their way out, the owner of the vehicle allegedly shot the clamp. So our men went back but the owner was not in the area anymore but they managed to trace his live-in partner,” Manatad said.

In the initial investigation by the Mabolo police, Destriza “intentionally” shot and damaged the clamp worth P45,000.

Responding police officers recovered an empty shell while the vehicle was towed to be impounded at the South Road Properties.

The Mabolo Police Station will also file charges for the violation of illegal discharge of firearm and malicious mischief against Destriza.

Effective Monday, no more adjudication on clamping. No more adjudication on past records. TOMAS OSMEÑA Cebu City Mayor

SUNSTAR FOTO/ ALLAN CUIZON MOTORBIKES. An aerial view of the impounding area of the Cebu City Traffic Office at the South Reclamation Properties (SRP) shows just how many traffic violators are missing their motorbikes.

SUNSTAR FOTO / ALLAN CUIZON ROAD RAGE? Before the white Honda City (above) was impounded after it was clamped, its owner reportedly shot the clamp (right), damaging it.