Manila traffic enforcer receives cashless ‘kotong’ through virtual wallet

A Manila traffic enforcer extorted a P2,000 bribe from a trucker, but because the driver did not have any cash on him, the enforcer agreed to be paid off through his virtual wallet.

According to Jun Veneracion's Friday report on 24 Oras, truck driver Proceso Esteban Gonzales was pulled over by traffic enforcers in Tondo last June 28.

According to Gonzales, the enforcer, who was later identified as Oliver Fernandez, claimed that he had broken multiple traffic rules.

The enforcer offered to "settle" the matter right then and there for a P2,000 bribe to be deposited in the enforcer's virtual wallet.

Unfortunately for Fernandez, trucker Gonzales took a video of the transaction and the video caught the attention of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.

Fernandez for unceremoniously fired the next day, June 29.

"Inamin po ng aming enforcer sa kanyng sector commander na P2,000 ang hiningi niya," said MTPB Operations Chief Wilson Chan, who was surprised that bribes had now gone cashless.

(Our enforcer admitted to his sector commander that he had extorted P2,000 from the trucker. )

"Nag-upgrade na ang pangongotong," added Chan.

The Bureau revealed that they had been surveilling Fernandez as they suspected his extortion activities. The recent video was the proof they needed to finally fire him.

Since 2019, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau had fired 56 enforcers over extortion and bribery activities. — DVM, GMA News