Extortion gets 2 MMDA men fired; 7 others probed

MANILA, Philippines–Two traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have been dismissed for extortion while seven others who are also accused of the same offense have been suspended pending the results of an investigation into the matter.

In a statement, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said he ordered on Monday the immediately dismissal from service of two traffic constables whom he did not identify.

According to him, several months of hearings conducted by the agency’s legal department proved that the two were engaged in extortion activities.

The two were contractual employees and assigned to man traffic flow on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

“This is part of our regular efforts to cleanse our ranks.  We will never tolerate any wrongdoing [among] our employees,” Tolentino said.

Seven more traffic constables are facing administrative charges for grave misconduct. They have been placed on preventive suspension for 90 days for their alleged involvement also in extortion activities.

They were identified as traffic constables Rommel Millanes, Larry Tibos, Romeo Rabaya, Ariel Merin, Elmer Santos, Marlo Gateos and Cesar Aguilar, all regular employees of the MMDA. They face dismissal from the service should they be found guilty of the charges against them.

They will, however, be accorded due process and a fair and impartial hearing, Tolentino said.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to all our erring employees.  We will enforce the laws without prejudice to anyone,” he added.