What initially appeared to be a routine traffic operation by personnel of the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) along Araneta Street in front of Gaisano City Mall on Tuesday, July 21, turned into the successful recovery of a stolen tricycle.
Traffic enforcer Marklin Jadraque, together with team leader Gary Villasis and fellow enforcer Ron Ian Infante, flagged down a tricycle being driven by two minors at around 8:30 a.m.
The two male occupants, aged 13 and 10, failed to present the necessary documents for the vehicle during the inspection, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“I was surprised to see children driving a tricycle, so we immediately flagged them down without hesitation,” Jadraque said.
The minors, who reportedly came from Ilog town, were initially issued a citation ticket and instructed to return home and inform their parents about the incident.
However, further verification conducted by the BTTMD in coordination with the Highway Patrol Group (HPG)- Bacolod revealed that the tricycle had allegedly been stolen from outside of a hospital in Kabankalan City.
The vehicle’s owner, 46-year-old Arman Lacson, said he was attending to a confined relative at the hospital when he discovered that his tricycle had gone missing.
Lacson expressed relief after learning that the vehicle had been recovered through the prompt action of BTTMD personnel.
“I’m truly happy and grateful because that tricycle holds great sentimental value for me. It has been a part of our family for many years,” Lacson said as he thanked the members of the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) for their prompt action in recovering the vehicle.
The recovered tricycle is now under the custody of HPG-Bacolod while authorities continue their investigation to identify other possible persons involved in the incident.
HPG-Bacolod Chief Police Lieutenant Rowel Jumao-as also commended the swift response and vigilance of the BTTMD personnel, which led to the successful recovery of the stolen vehicle.*
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