MMDA clarifies Magallanes counterflowing incident

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday clarified the issue regarding the viral video showing an MMDA traffic enforcer assisting an SUV to counterflow near the EDSA Magallanes MRT Station.

In a statement, the MMDA said the traffic enforcer, Joel Gasmenia, assisted the SUV, which had just figured in an accident, after learning that its driver was a 70-year-old doctor on his way to UST Hospital to attend to a patient who was about to give birth.

"Acting in good faith for the doctor’s urgent call to the hospital, Constable Gasmenia used his better judgment and decided to assist the involved vehicles to counterflow along EDSA Magallanes MRT NB to cut the route going to the Malugay Traffic Bureau," the MMDA said.

Dr. Rosendo Roque, the OB-GYN in the SUV, even thanked the constable for expediting their travel upon learning of the operation he was scheduled to perform.

"To MMDA Authority, please be informed that I would like to thank Constable Joel Gasmenia for assisting us after being involved in a vehicular accident that happened in the Magallanes overpass in October 21, 2015. When he learned that I am a doctor who has a scheduled operation, he did everything to expedite our way to Malugay Police Station," he said in a letter to MMDA.

"Again, many thanks to your organization for having Joel Gasmenia who has sense how to handle an accident," Roque added.



The incident occurred last Wednesday. As of Friday afternoon, the video, posted by Top Gear PH, had over two million views on Facebook. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News