The management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) apologized Monday for the confrontation involving its security personnel and a teenager who has a learning disability.
“We extend our sincerest apologies to the PWD (person with disability) passenger and his family regarding the incident,” it said in a statement.
The management said it is already investigating the incident as they do not tolerate any kind of humiliation to passengers.
“While the investigation is still ongoing, please be assured that the DOTr MRT-3 does not condone any act that may offend or disrespect any person or passenger,” it said.
The MRT-3 management’s statement was a reaction to a November 3-post of Shirley Iyulores, who complained about the “humiliating experience” that his son went through when two guards on-duty denied him entry and accused him of using fake PWD identification card. She said the incident happened on the afternoon of October 26 at the southbound platform of MRT-3’s North Avenue Station.
She further lamented the security staff’s disregard of the PWD beep card, which her son also showed to MRT-3 personnel to support his use of the PWD ID.
“To accuse my son of faking an ID and the staff’s failure to recognize his special MRT beep card is preposterous and downright insensitive,” Iyulores wrote in her Facebook post where she tagged the “DOTr MRT-3” and Autism Society of the Philippines.
“How did you train your security personnel in dealing with PWDs? It seems to be limited in physical disabilities only. Aren’t they aware of cases like ADHD, autism and the like? My son went thru a very humiliating experience only because of the ignorance of your staff,” she added.
The MRT-3 management, however, explained that questioning the identity of passengers is part of their protocol, pointing out that “fake IDs being presented by some passengers in MRT-3 are not uncommon.”
Nevertheless, the MRT-3 management said it would remind its security personnel to treat passengers with dignity.
“This is a learned experience for all of us to always make sure that we provide our patrons not only with a safe and reliable mode of transport, but also with a dignified commuting experience,” the MRT-3 management said. Faye Orellana, INQUIRER.net /kga