Celebs react to abuse of MMDA officer

Traffic enforcers can get to any motorist's nerves while traversing the metropolis, especially when supposed "violations" are deemed questionable.

But despite their transgressions, these road watchmen detailed by the Metro Manila Development Authority deserve our respect, both as duly authorized enforcers and, well, as human beings. Like us, they're there to do their jobs (though some might disagree) as best they can.

Perhaps it is the negative public perception that led one irate motorist to assault a traffic enforcer who stopped him for blocking an intersection.

The incident was caught on tape by TV5's public service program "T3."

The clip, splattered on the web, drew a hue and cry.

Sympathy for enforcer

Comments on the TV5's online portal InterAksyon, mostly showed compassion for the traffic enforcer, named Saturnino Fabros.

Reader Jonel Familleza said: "ginagawa lang ng pobreng enforcer ang trabaho nya.walang masama sa pagsita lalo na kung nasa tama ka.ang hirap kasi sa pilipino porket nakakaangat sa buhay akala mo kung sino na bawal ng sitahin.i salute you mister enforcer!"

James Mo, meanwhile said: "Sometimes, perhaps most of the time for others, we all get upset in traffic situations. But whatever this fool's reason was, it does not give him any mortal right to humiliate, degrade, and physically assault this MMDA Traffic Officer. This is an example of power tripping, and this guy appropriately belongs on TV for all of us to see how weak and small he really is for attacking an unprovoking and humbled uniformed personnel of the government. Imagine what the family and friends of this aggrieved MMDA officer are feeling. Imagine if this traffic officer was your friend, or was your family."

Celebs chime in

Newscasters and celebrities joined the fray.

ABS-CBN newsreader Karen Davila said: "That motorist should be arrested."

TV5 anchor Cheryl Cosim was emphatic: "Shame on you! Unforgiveable."

Bianca Gonzalez tweeted: "I'm disgusted."

And fellow celebrity Chynna Ortaleza said: "I can't bring myself to open that MMDA scene! :O baka ma-high blood ako."

Radio personality Rico Robles said: "They work rain or shine to make sure our traffic situation is somehow bearable, must we abuse them? They are also humans."

This outpouring of support might have encouraged Fabros, with the help of the MMDA legal team, to file charges of "direct assault" against the motorist Robert Blair Carabuena.

Since the "T3" airing, Carabuena has deactivated his social network accounts and refused to talk to media.

Indeed, in the age of video sharing and social media, no act of abuse can go unpunished, the least and possibly the worst of which is the collective outcry of enraged netizens.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed. Yahoo! Philippines OMG! welcomes opinions—and the occasional wisecracks—that enrich and highlight new angles on its stories. Below-the-belt rants may be a fact of online life, but that doesn't mean you should turn into a troll. You can speak your mind without bashing anyone. Keep it clean, folks.