MMDA to pursue raps vs driver who had enforcer cling to car hood

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes (2nd from left) leads a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City on Thursday, August 29, 2024, regarding complaints they intend to file against a driver, who, in a now-viral video, had a traffic agent clinging onto the hood as he allegedly tried to escape after hitting a motorcycle in Taguig City. Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is determined to file complaints against a driver, who, in a now-viral video, had a traffic agent clinging onto the hood as he allegedly tried to escape after hitting a motorcycle in Taguig City.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes said Thursday that they will pursue administrative and criminal charges against the driver, who requested anonymity, despite his apology.

“Nagpunta po kanina ‘yung driver ng sasakyan dahil nagpapaliwanag at humihingi ng tawad. Anyway, kahit siya po ay humingi ng tawad sa amin, it will not affect ‘yong pagfa-file po natin ng kaso. In fact, we already filed complaint sa LTO [Land Transportation Office],” Artes said in a press conference.

(The driver of the car went here to explain and apologize. Anyway, even if he asked for an apology from us, it would not affect our plans to file charges against him. In fact, we already filed a complaint in the LTO.)

READ: MMDA enforcer clings to hood of traffic violator’s speeding car

“In the coming days, we are preparing ‘yung criminal complaints. ‘Yong legal [team] po namin ang gumagawa. Baka nga po mag-file kami ng attempted homicide dito po sa driver ng nasabing sasakyan,” he added.

(In the coming days, we are preparing criminal complaints. Our legal team is preparing it. We might file attempted homicide complaint against the driver of the car.)

The road incident happened in Taguig City on Tuesday, August 27. On Facebook, the MMDA uploaded the video of the scene, in which a traffic law enforcer was seen clinging to the hood of a speeding red car while another MMDA personnel was chasing it. The video was from a certain Bhadong Caldozo.

According to Artes, the red car collided with a motorcycle but the vehicle sped away as an MMDA personnel identified as Allan Sadiua approached to check on what happened.

“Hinarang po siya ng aming enforcer bago makaalis pero ang ginawa niya po na imbis na tumigil ay binangga niya po ‘yung enforcer na instead po na mabangga ay tumalon po sa ibabaw at kanya pong tinangay,” he added.

(Our enforcer tried to stop him from leaving but instead of stopping, he tried to hit our enforcer who opted to jump on the car’s hood to avoid being hit, and the driver carried him away.)

Artes said the driver explained that he was on his way to the airport when the incident happened and panicked when he was being chased by the MMDA traffic law enforcers. However, the MMDA chief stressed that the driver’s explanation is “unacceptable.”

“Sa amin po, kahit anong paliwanag ay hindi katanggap-tanggap dahil ito po ay may elemento ng assault to person with authority at talaga pong may intent to cause harm sa aming enforcer,” Artes noted.

(For us, whatever explanation will not be acceptable as there is an element of assault to [a] person with authority and there was an intent to cause harm to our enforcer.)

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“Kaya po despite ng pagpunta niya dito ay paghingi ng tawad, we’ll make sure na ‘yung mga kaso ay aming ifa-file, at harapin niya talaga sa husgado ‘yung mga kaso, both administrative at criminal cases,” he said.

(So despite going here and asking for forgiveness, we’ll make sure that he will face cases, both administrative and criminal cases.)

In an ambush interview also on Thursday, the driver was asked for his comment regarding the MMDA’s plan to file complaints against him.

“Okay lang po. Basta ‘yun lang po ‘yong sa akin… Makapag-public apology,” he said.

(It’s okay. I just want to make a public apology.)