MMDA mulls allowing constables to nab motorists who attack them

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's legal department is studying the possibility of allowing the agency's constables to arrest traffic violators who harass and attack them.

"All the legal technicalities of this process needs to be cleared out to our enforcers and through our legal. We need to coordinate with the Philippine National Police para di rin naman kami babalikan ng demanda eventually," said Bong Nebrija, MMDA's supervising officer for operations, in a 24 Oras report by Rida Reyes.

The development comes after incidents of harassment committed by motorists against MMDA personnel have gone viral over social media.

Moreover, the MMDA is also planning to provide batons to their constables, for their safety and defense, with women constables among the first to receive them. Training will accompany the distribution of batons to prevent abuse.

"Hindi naman natin pwedeng gamitin iyan na para abusuhin 'yung paggamit ng baton, kaya magkakaroon din tayo ng rules of engagement," said MMDA's director for traffic enforcement Roy Taguinod.

MMDA constable Lovely Santiago recalled how she was hit by a motorcycle while on duty.

"Nabangga po ako. 'Yung nasa Western ako, motor 'yun eh sobrang bilis. Although meron siyang violation na walang helmet, ano na-hit and run po. Wala kaming laban sa kanila, ito na lang pinaka-self defense namin," Santiago said.

Another MMDA constable said that if they are allowed to make citizen's arrests, he would turn over arrested motorists to the police.

"Dapat ilagay natin sa tama at kung ano ang dapat nating gawin. Pag mahawakan na namin, turn-over na lang namin sa pulis para pulis na lang din ang maghusga kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin," he said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News