MRT general manager goes on leave over shakedown allegations

Metro Rail Transit general manager Al Vitangcol III has gone on leave amid allegations that he was involved in a supposed $30-million shakedown attempt on a Czech supplier of trains. Vitangcol talked to Department of Transportation and Communications secretary Jose Emilio Abaya before going on leave, radio dzBB reported early Tuesday. Abaya said Vitangcol denied the allegations during their talk. Earlier reports said Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar claimed Vitangcol III and other officials tried to extort $30 million from Inekon Group in order for them to land a contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion. The alleged extortion attempt took place when now interior secretary Manuel Roxas II headed the Department of Transportation and Communications. Lacierda said he was told by Abaya that the ambassador only mentioned the name of Vitangcol but not three other DOTC undersecretaries. — DVM, GMA News