Suspect in shooting of MMDA traffic enforcer nabbed

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities have apprehended the man who shot a traffic enforcer after he was pulled over for a coding violation Wednesday, a police official said Thursday.

The suspect was identified by Highway Patrol Group director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina as Edward John Gonzales who was caught by a mobile unit of the HPG-National Capital Region at around 8 p.m. in his home in Makati City. He has been turned over to the Mandaluyong police for further investigation, said Espina.

Gonzales shot traffic enforcer Larry Fiala of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) several times at around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday along Florida Street, near Shell Station in Connecticut Street in Mandaluyong City. The suspect was chased all the way to Mandaluyong by Fiala who flagged down the black Nissan Frontier (WMD-505) he drove at Cubao.

Gonzales was armed with a caliber .45 pistol, police said.

Meanwhile, Fiala is still under observation at the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center and will be x-rayed within the day, said MMDA spokeswoman Tina Velasco.

Velasco said the traffic enforcer had multiple wounds in his abdomen, aside from those he suffered in his hand and arm.