Edu Manzano. Image: Instagram/@realedumanzano
Edu Manzano said he recently confronted a traffic enforcer who allegedly tried to extort money from his driver amounting to P4,000 for a supposed traffic violation on Roxas Boulevard.
On his X account, Manzano admitted getting upset as he watched from the back of his car how a traffic cop on motorcycle stopped their vehicle and explain to his driver that he had made an illegal U-turn, and must now pay the P4,000 “fine” for the violation.
“My driver was just stopped by a motorcycle cop on Roxas Blvd. I was sitting in the back while he approached my driver and told him [about] his violation, illegal U-turn,” he wrote. “Yes my driver made a mistake but what upset me more was when he demanded P4K from my driver or else.”
My driver was just stopped by a motorcycle cop on Roxas Blvd. I was sitting in the back while he approached my driver and told him on his violation, Illegal U-turn. Yes my driver made a mistake but what upset me more was when he demanded P4K from my driver or else ….
— Edu Manzano (@realedumanzano) June 8, 2024
Unbeknown to the enforcer, Manzano said he was listening to their conversation as the traffic cop subjected his driver to the discussion that first involved having to take a seminar, before he began asking for P2,000 shakedown money, until the amount went up to P4,000, all while making threats to the driver.
It was then that the actor-host began “lose” it and intervene.
I lost it. I had to confront the cop. He started w/ a seminar, then P2K, then P4K. All the while I was in the back listening while he threatened my driver. I did not mince words.
— Edu Manzano (@realedumanzano) June 8, 2024
In a separate post, Manzano said in response to one commenter that the traffic enforcer even acted amicably with him but didn’t let the encounter pass.
His words … Boss Edu! Gusto pa mag-fist bump. Kambyo bigla. Lalo ako pumitik! I should’ve let it go. I didn’t.
— Edu Manzano (@realedumanzano) June 8, 2024
While he didn’t disclose where exactly in Roxas Boulevard the incident took place, Manzano said he got wind of the enforcer’s name and their argument on audio.
I have him on audio and yes I got his name Marielle. Thinking of what to do next. 😃
— Edu Manzano (@realedumanzano) June 9, 2024
His post caught the attention of netizens, with some sharing their own experiences of dealing with “corrupt” traffic enforcers.
ganto nangyari nung nag grab ako pa-araneta nung get back in mnl shuta seminar daw ng 3 days, tas multa din ng 2k mygad sobrang hassle sa mga grab driver! sa huli nagpabayad nalang ng 1k yung enforcer 🙄 buwaya https://t.co/m92tVR8jHI
— ✴︎ (@vanillabyun) June 9, 2024
Nangyari sakin to sa pasay. Yung lane ko is double headed so i can either turn left or straight. Pinara ako ng enforcer and clearly yung naunang taxi hindi.
Enforcer argued na di nya nakita ang taxi eh obvious na car ko lang pinara nya. https://t.co/5ssILuUMaM
— ⚡️EJay (@callmeErwinJay) June 9, 2024
Nangyari sakin to sa pasay. Yung lane ko is double headed so i can either turn left or straight. Pinara ako ng enforcer and clearly yung naunang taxi hindi.
Enforcer argued na di nya nakita ang taxi eh obvious na car ko lang pinara nya. https://t.co/5ssILuUMaM
— ⚡️EJay (@callmeErwinJay) June 9, 2024
Fully support 💯 these traffic enforcers in the city are so corrupt. They will flag you for violations you didn’t even commit and then wont let you go until you give them money. My family and I have experienced this multiple times which is why we refuse to drive in manila https://t.co/M5tKkPRNA3
— Kris Araracap (@Kris_ChanChan) June 9, 2024
Manzano made headlines in October 2023 after being involved in an accident with his dogs that left him “immobile.” He has since recovered after the incident.