CDC police remains calm amid cursing, reaps praises

• Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/23744/Volume-9-No-38/Headlines/span-style-color-rgb-255-0-0-span-style-text-decoration-underline--NOW-ON-VIRAL-VIDEO-span--span-br-CDC-police-remains-calm-amid-cursing-reaps-praises
• Monday, October 19, 2015

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT – A member of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Police reaped praises for remaining calm amidst continuous cursing of a teenaged alleged trafficviolator as seen now on a viral video in social media.

The 3-minute 25 seconds video was originally posted by security guard Jake Batan, and shared by Top Gear Philippineshas now 10,700 likes and reaping 6,200 comments and 866,000 views as of 12:00nn October 14 Wednesday.

Reaping outpouring commendations is Roberto I. Lagman Jr., traffic accident investigator and calm police on duty at the CDC-Public Safety Department (PSD). Lagman handled the inquiry with ThomasJason Cooley, 19-year old Filipino-American and resident of Angeles City.

The incident report stated that on October 11 at 2:00 a.m., Cooley who was driving a KIA silver gray vehicle with plate number PKO-199 was reported drifting his vehicle at Tennis Court parking lot, by the Parade Grounds here inside the Freeport zone.

Cooley was advised by a security guard (SG) by the name of Zaldy Cortez that the said parking lot is not for vehicle drifting.

The said driver denied that he was drifting at the parking lot and got mad. Cooley in return uttered a “F*****g shit” (invective) to the responding guard, prompting the guard to inform the Tactical Operation Center (TOC) for assistance of Sector Commander at around 2:40 a.m. on the same date.

Then Sector Commander Edgar Sebastian and SG Phillip Caligagan arrived and talked to Cooley in a courteous manner. The said officers also advised Cooley to refrain from drifting at the said parking lot.

The apprehending officer asked for Cooley’s license.

The said driver responded arrogantly refused to surrender his license.

At 2:50 a.m. of the same date, Special Reaction Unit personnel on duty responded for assistance and also asked Cooley to cooperate and remain calm. Despite pleas from the responding officers, Cooley kept on cursing.

At 3:00 a.m. Lagman was dispatched to the scene together with Team Leader Leovy A. Barrion, Traffic Enforcer Edmund Conag.

Explaining R.A 4136 Traffic Code Rules and Regulations, the responding PSD personnel politely talked to Cooley and underscored that the driver’s license is the property of the Philippine Government.

During the course of the conversation, the police officers smelled alcohol from Cooley’s breath.

He was then asked to undergo breath analysis at the PSD Building where the apparatus is being kept. The result yielded 0.147 percent/ Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).

Cooley was issued a Traffic Citation Ticket for the following violations: reckless driving and driving under the influence of liquor, illegal drifting and for showing arrogance.

On the video, Lagman is seated beside the violator facing an opposite direction. It can be heard in the video that curses were part of Cooley’s utterances while being interviewed. Lagman on the other hand kept his composure as a police officer.

CDC President Atty. Arthur P. Tugade said that employees like Lagman who do their jobs very well despite criticisms and even invectives should be commended.

Tugade instructed Noel F. Manankil, vice-president for administration and finance to prepare commendations for Lagman who kept his composure and professionalism while being cursed at by Cooley as shown in the video.

The caption reads, “From Clark Development Corporation Security officer Jake Batan: First time we encountered a boastful and very arrogant violator.”

First to comment was Top Gear Philippines, “Can we just give a round of applause to the calm and very patient traffic cop. Salute!”

Comments commending Lagman outpoured from netizens testifying that CDC police officers are respectful and traffic regulations are properly implemented inside the Freeport.

One of the replies on the above comment says, “Kasuhan yan (referring to Cooley) mayabang nayan na matuto. Mahigpit at may disiplina sa Clark kung ayaw mahuli sumunod ka sa batas,” a netizen said.

Another netizen said, “Kudos to the police/enforcer for having the virtue of temperance for not giving that piece of trash what he deserves,” A netizen by the name of John Frederick Perez said, “Clark Police are one of the best and polite police in the Philippines.”