MANILA, Philippines — Two traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have been sacked after allegedly extorting money from two food delivery motorcycle drivers in Makati City.
In a statement on Saturday, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the enforcers—who have not been identified—were arrested by authorities on Friday afternoon.
Based on an investigation by the MMDA, the motorcycle riders were on their way to deliver food to their customers when they got flagged down by the traffic enforcers at the Edsa-Ayala southbound loading and unloading bay.
The enforcers then allegedly demanded from the riders some money, purportedly P500, and P100 respectively, so the delivery crews could pass through Edsa.
The delivery drivers gave in to the enforcers’ demand but they subsequently sought the help of members of the Makati City Police, who were at the time conducting “Oplan Sita” at Arnaiz corner Park Square Avenue Drive.
The MMDA enforcers were consequently arrested. They are now detained at the Makati City Police headquarters, pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.
“We will not allow anyone to taint the good image of the agency. Both of them are automatically terminated from service,” Lim said.
“The agency has no room for this kind of traffic enforcers. Wrongdoings should never be tolerated,” he added.