Altercation ensues as MMDA catches airport police using bus lane

Screenshot of a video posted by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation.

MANILA, Philippines —An altercation broke out between a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer and a member of the airport police on Sunday, due to the former’s use of the Edsa bus lane.

A video captured by the MMDA enforcer shows the airport police member becoming angry after being cited for a violation and attempting to snatch the enforcer’s cellphone.

According to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), which uploaded the video on social media, they have received an incident report claiming that the MMDA enforcer called out the airport police member after catching the latter using the northbound Edsa bus lane.

The airport police member, however, refused to give his driver’s license, which resulted in the commotion.

The SAICT noted that the airport police member, who introduced himself as an employee of the DOTr, has committed a violation.

READ: Disgusted at lack of discipline, blatant disregard of rules on Edsa bus lane

“Patuloy [na] maninindigan ang DOTr na ang tanging pahihintulutan lamang dumaan sa busway ay ang mga bus na nag-o-operate sa Edsa busway route; PNP vehicles, at mga marked emergency vehicles tulad ng ambulansya at fire trucks,” DOTr SAICT said in a post on Facebook.

(The DOTr insists that only buses operating on the EDSA busway route, PNP vehicles, and marked emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks are allowed to use the busway.)

READ: Edsa bus lane violations drop as MMDA credits increased fines

It further reiterated that for government employees, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court Chief Justice can be given the privilege to use the busway to assist in fulfilling their duties.