Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday gave recognition to a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) enforcer who kept his cool while being assaulted by a female traffic violator.

Domagoso said it was admirable that Marcos Anzures Jr. remained calm despite being hurt, shouted at, and cursed by 26-year-old suspect Pauline Mae Altamirano, who claimed she is a model and a resident of Taguig City and Calamba, Laguna.

Altamirano, who beat the red light in Malate on May 27, 2021 and was without a driver’s license, was confirmed to be a drug courier by Col. Rosalino Ibay Jr., chief of the Manila Police District’s Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (MPD SMaRT).

The video of the outraged Altamirano and the calm Anzures went viral.

“Binigyan po natin ng pagkilala si MTPB enforcer Marcos Anzures Jr. dahil sa kanyang pinakitang maximum tolerance sa gitna ng pananakit sa kanya ng isang traffic violator (We recognize MTPB enforcer Marcos Anzures Jr. for showing maximum tolerance toward a traffic violator who harmed him),” Domagoso said during a ceremony at the Kartilya ng Katipunan.

“Sa masusing imbestigasyon ng MPD, itong babaeng ito meron palang kasapakat. Meron tayong nahuling tatlong drug pusher. Courier pala itong babae (In an investigation by the MPD, this woman was found to have cohorts. We arrested three drug pushers. The woman was found to be a drug courier),” Domagoso added.

The three suspects were apprehended by the MPD and the Drug Enforcement Unit at the Kartilya ng Katipunan on Friday, the day after the Altamirano incident.

They were identified as Rendor Sanchez, 30; Leopoldo Salamero, 20; and Marlon De Guzman, 29, all residents of Calamba.

Altamirano and the trio all tested positive for illegal drugs, according to the MPD-Smart.

Domagoso said Anzures enhanced the credibility of that MTPB that has been hounded by anomalies and corruption in the past.

“Kinilala niya ang kaniyang tungkuling maglingkod sa kapwa ng may mahabang pasensya at pang-unawa kaya’t tama lamang na siya ay ating ipakilala bilang isang magandang halimbawa ng lingkod bayan na pwede pala, kaya pala, kaya palang magbago ng MPTB (He performed his obligation in serving the people with patience and understanding, that is why it is right to recognize him as a good example of a public servant, that the MTPB enforcers can change and perform their jobs well),” Domagoso said.

Domagoso also recognized other employees of the city government for their exemplary service and encouraged other public servants to do the same. (PNA)