MALOLOS CITY—A patrol officer at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) was recently commended for heroism after he chased and arrested a snatcher in Balintawak.
Jeffrey Azarcon, an employee of the Traffic Operations Division of the Tollways Management Corporation (TMC), the operator of the 85-kilometer NLEx. The TMC recently handed Azarcon commendation for his heroism and commitment to service.
Francisco Dagohoy, media relations specialist of the TMC, said that Azarcon and a fellow patrol officer were on their way to the NLEx compound in Balintawak, Quezon City when he saw two men alighted from a jeepney near the Balintawak toll plaza.
One of the men snatched a necklace from a jeepney passenger and took off. Azarcon and the other patrol officer followed the suspect that eventually led Azarcon to arrest the snatcher and brought the suspect to the La Loma police station.
When asked what prompted him to go after the snatcher, Azarcon said, “kahit hindi naman naka uniporme gagawin ko yun basta nakikita ko na kaya ko”. He explained it was the right thing to do at that time. A part time martial arts instructor, Azarcon admitted that his skills gave confi dence to arrest the suspect.
“Naia-apply ko ang alam ko sa mga ganitong pagkakataon,” he said. Azarcon is one of the many NLEx traffic officers who believe that service is not just a job but also a commitment. As a matter of fact, Azarcon’s group, the Traffi c Operations Division receives several commendations from NLEx motorists each week.
These commendations range from giving directions to motorists to offering help in emergency situations.
