MANILA, Philippines—A businessman who is embroiled in a controversial incident involving the manhandling of a traffic enforcer says that he – and not the enforcer – is the “real victim” in the incident.
Joseph Russel Ingco, owner and driver of the now much talked about blue Maserati, alleged that the account of traffic enforcer Jorbe Adriatico is flawed, and that he is looking to press charges against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officer.
Ingco was driving his Maserati Ghibli on Thursday morning, when he reportedly insulted and punched Adriatico repeatedly after the latter video-recorded him for a traffic violation.
A video clip of the incident seems to show Adriatico being dragged by Ingco, who was driving the Maserati. Adriatico, in his report, claimed that he was dragged from the intersection of G. Araneta and Quezon Avenues to Scout Chuatoco street.
According to Ingco, however, he did not violate traffic rules, and it was Adriatico who attacked him.
“Kakaliwa po ako ng Q. Ave. pero napansin ko na bawal kaya nag-U-turn ako pero napansin ko vinideo niya ako (As I was about to turn left at Q. Ave, I noticed it wasn’t allowed, so I made a U-turn and then I noticed him (Adriatico) taking a video),” Ingco told reporters from ABS-CBN.
Ingco says he first ignored that Adriatico was taking a video of him; but as her neared the traffic enforcer, he became irked that Adriatico continued with his actions.
The suspect recounted that he then asked Adriatico, “Boss, ano ba ang problema? Wala naman po akong viniolate sa traffic rules (Boss, what’s seems to be the problem? I’m not in violation of any traffic rules).”
“Pero habang vinivideo niya ako inano sa mukha ko tapos hinawi ko po ‘yung video (But while he was taking a video of me, he was in my face so I pushed the video away.),” Ingco said.
“After no’n, minura niya ako. Galit na galit siya sa akin eh. Papatayin daw nya ako (After that, he cursed me. He was extremely angry at me. He said he was going to kill me),” he added.
The luxury sports car driver said that Adriatico’s version of the story – in which Ingco is the one who yelled curse words, and that Ingco, while driving his vehicle, forcibly dragged the officer – is untrue.
“That’s not true. He was grabbing my shirt while I was driving. I really wanted to escape. I was scared. Wala akong pwersa. Nasa loob po ako ng sasakyan. Kung gusto ko siyang saktan, ihaharurot ko na ‘yung sasakyan. (I had no more strength. I was inside my car. If I wanted to hurt him (Adriatico), I would have floored the vehicle.),” Ingco said.
The suspect stressed his innocence, and said that he “can’t understand” why the enforcer was taking a video of him.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he insisted; adding that he is poised to file charges against Adiatico.
Adriatico has already pressed charges against Ingco; namely, serious physical injury, grave threat, robbery, and assault upon an agent in authority.