World · Philippines Bureau
Ilagan councilor's husband accused of assaulting elderly traffic enforcer
An 80-year-old traffic officer in Isabela province reported being attacked by the spouse of a city councilor after being stopped for an alleged parking violation. The incident occurred in San Vicente village on September 21.
LSN Philippines ·
ILAGAN CITY, Isabela — A traffic enforcement officer has accused the husband of a local councilor of assault following a confrontation over an illegally parked vehicle in San Vicente village.
Bernardino Baldoz, 80, a retired barangay chairman, was on duty managing traffic when he encountered the vehicle allegedly parked in a no-parking zone on September 21. According to Baldoz's account, the driver, identified as Policarpio Gaoiran, became angry when confronted about the parking violation.
Baldoz reported that the altercation escalated into a physical assault. The incident has drawn attention to tensions between law enforcement and prominent residents in the city, as Gaoiran is married to an elected councilor.
Authorities have not yet announced whether formal charges have been filed against Gaoiran in connection with the alleged assault. Traffic enforcement officers in Philippine cities occasionally face resistance when attempting to cite violations, particularly in cases involving well-connected individuals.