The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Saturday denounced the latest assault by undisciplined and erring motorists against its personnel.
Last Friday, the driver and conductor of Diamond Star Bus beat up Arvin Gabay, a member of the MMDA Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, after they were cited for traffic infraction at the Ortigas loading bay along the northbound lane of EDSA near Robinsons Galleria Mall.
Gabay sustained head and body injuries and was rushed to the Medical City Hospital after the incident.
The suspects, driver Harold Dave Reyes and his conductor Rolly Sambayon, were arrested and are now detained at the Police Station 12 in Libis. Charges of physical injuries will be filed against them.
MMDA spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago said Gabay was on duty as one of the MMDA force multipliers when he noticed the Diamond Star Bus with registration plate UVU-374 overstaying at the EDSA-Ortigas loading and unloading bay area.
“Sinita ang driver dahil overstaying na sila. Nagalit ang kunduktor kaya pinagtulungan bugbugin,” said Pialago, adding that the driver committed road obstruction with an expired OVR.
The MMDA later discovered that Reyes had no driver’s license and had already committed at least 70 traffic violations in the past.
“We just want respect from motorists. Please respect our enforcers. Nobody has the right to assault or attack anyone,” said Pialago.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim denounced the latest attack against his men.
“You have no [road] discipline, you have no respect for the law and no respect to others,” said Lim.
This was not the first time an MMDA enforcer or employee became a victim of violence along major streets while performing his or her duty.