MMDA traffic aides stage sympathy rally for wounded colleague

Traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) staged a rally Friday in front of the Mandaluyong City Hall of Justice in sympathy for a colleague who was shot and wounded by a traffic violator.

Wearing their blue uniforms and riding their motorcycles, the traffic aides carried placards appealing to authorities not to let the suspect off the hook.

Their colleague, Larry Fiala, remained in guarded condition at a hospital after he was shot at least five times on Wednesday by a motorist identified as Edward John Gonzalez, 30. Gonzalez was accosted by Fiala  for violating the number coding scheme.

The suspect was arrested by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group hours after the shooting. He was later charged with frustrated murder and direct assault on an agent of a person in authority.

Gonzalez was released from detention after posting a P200,000 bail bond.

MMDA officials joined the assembly which lasted for about an hour.