Traffic Enforcers Don't Know Their Own Traffic Laws

[sonjack2847]

I've always thought they made them up as they went along. The equivalent of being arrested for "Wearing a loud shirt in a built up area".

Dave don`t put ideas in their heads or they will have another scam to work.

[earthdome]

Has anyone found that the traffic enforcers don't know their own traffic laws?

 

I was in Bantayan last month driving around on my motorbike as I do with me girl. We get pulled over for a "routine traffic stop"...me things we drew attention to ourselves as we were both wearing helmets, and 90% of other motorbikes wear no helmets...but that is another story.

 

Anyways...the traffic enforcer asks to see my licence, to which I dutifully handed it over. He says, "this is Australian licence."...I say, "it certainly is, you are correct."...He says you need Philippines drivers licence. We then had a short argument, to which he said he would let me off with a warning for a fine of 500peso. This is even after I explained the law to him, that I could drive on this license for 90 days after my arrival in his country. He still insisted on the 500peso fine.

 

I then said, just let me make a phone call. I called the mayor....lol...explained my situation...handed the phone to the traffic enforcer....and within....60 seconds we were on our way after lots of, " Sorrys" from the traffic enforcer. Why is it, it is always who you know in this country...haha.

 

On a side note, this particular traffic enforcer I always saw him directing traffic at the big circle round about in central Bantayan. After this little misunderstanding, I did not see him at his post there anymore :)

 

Another anecdotal episode where a dashcam would have helped.

[RBM]

My girls uncle is an enforcer in Cebu. He is very proud mouthing off about how much he extorts daily. Says not so interested in the salary it's how much he pockets, as far as I know nothing goes back to his chief.

It's not just foreigners it's all, rich or poor, no scruples at all. Of course the long noses will be expected to pay more, on that statement I speak from experience.

[Larry45]

My girls uncle is an enforcer in Cebu. He is very proud mouthing off about how much he extorts daily. Says not so interested in the salary it's how much he pockets, as far as I know nothing goes back to his chief.

It's not just foreigners it's all, rich or poor, no scruples at all. Of course the long noses will be expected to pay more, on that statement I speak from experience.

Seems to be a part of the culture here to take pride in screwing other people, rather than taking pride in a job well done.  I know a nurse whose father was a street cop in Laguna....they have a huge compound and all the kids are either doctors or nurses...lol.  At least he spent his extra income wisely.

Edited November 1, 2015 by Larry45