By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Last week’s viral video of a man cursing, shoving, and challenging traffic and police officers in Susana Heights, Muntinlupa City was painful to watch. It exemplified how the simple enforcement of traffic rules can drive both motorists and lawmen to the edge.
Charges have already been filed in this case, so I won’t delve into the details of the incident. The video speaks for itself.
Let me just state that the man arrested for unruly behavior, Franz Orbos, comes from a good family. We are no strangers to former MMDA General Manager Tim Orbos, former president Cory Aquino’s executive secretary Oscar Orbos, or Fr. Jerry – a voice of inspiration to communities of the faithful.
Franz has since issued a public apology for his offensive conduct, admitted his mistake, and expressed his remorse with readiness to face the consequences of his actions. I am certain such an awakening of one’s humility makes room for forgiveness.
While social media communities can be harsher judges, I hope netizens would not miss the lesson we could learn from the incident. If you are a motorist, no amount of rage could fix a traffic altercation or violation.
All of us could have a bad day and throw a tantrum, some measure of alcohol in our system to drown our sorrows or snap at the weight of great mental stress – but not behind the wheel; not as a motorist; and not in the face of authority. A driver must always be calm.
General Guillermo Eleazar, PNP Chief, did well in commending the police officers involved in arresting Franz for exercising maximum tolerance. Such respectful restraint towards erring civilians must be praised that it be the standard, not the exception.
If we had more of these cops doing searches, enforcing arrest warrants, or even conducting drug busts, the PNP would have lesser blood and bodies in their hands.
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