By Jennifer P. Rendon
From a simple traffic violation, a driver of a utility vehicle found himself in a deeper hole.
Joebert Sagurot, 42, of Hamtic, Antique, was driving a Nissan Urvan Shuttle utility vehicle when a traffic auxiliary flagged him down around 9AM of January 18, 2021.
His offense? Disregarding a “pedestrian crossing yield” sign.
But instead of pulling over to the roadside, Sagurot sped away.
Major Joevito Bose, Miag-ao police chief, said the traffic auxiliary then radioed another traffic auxiliary to flag down the van.
Sagurot was again apprehended in front of Justice Ramon Britanico Hall on Zulueta Avenue, Barangay Baybay Norte, Miag-ao where he already stopped.
Staff Sergeant Jefferson Monsale, Miag-ao traffic police investigator, who was also on duty, went to check the vehicle’s papers.
To Monsale’s surprise, Sagurot allegedly handed him a P100 bill, which the policeman said was a clear attempt to bribe him.
Monsale immediately arrested and jailed Sagurot.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police chief, lauded Monsale for setting a good example to his fellow officers.
“He did the right thing,” Miranda said.
A case for violation of Article 210 (Direct Bribery) of the Revised Penal Code will be filed against Sagurot.
