MMDA traffic aide picked out of line-up, tagged in alleged extortion

A traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended after he was seen on a viral video allegedly extorting money from a motorist on Commonwealth Avenue.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “Saksi”, the MMDA asked the victim to identify the suspect from line-up of made up of traffic enforcers deployed in the area. 

“Na-identify ka with and without mask. So hindi lang ito unang beses, pangalawang beses ‘to,” said MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations David Angelo Vargas. 

(You were identified with or without a mask. This is not the first time it happened. It's the second.)

“Bibigyan ka ng tamang pagkakataon para sumagot sa mga akusasyon sa 'yo. Until such time, sa headquarters ka muna magre-report,” said Vargas. 

(We will give you the chance to answer the accusations against you. Until such time, you will report at the headquarters.)

The victim said the incident happened on Friday after he took a U-turn at the Technohub area, going to to Tandang Sora Avenue. The enforcer allegedly flagged him down for using his mobile phone while driving and for not using his seatbelt. 

When he denied the accusations, the traffic enforcer accused him of having an expired vehicle registration. The suspect asked him to pay P15,000 worth of fine but decreased it to P5,000. After saying he had no cash, the MMDA personnel allegedly told him to transfer the money via e-wallet. 

The victim caught the incident on a video and posted it on social media. 

 “Habang kunwaring nagsusulat siya, tsini-check yung mga ticket, yung mga receipt, nag log-in ako sa e-wallet. Trinansfer ko kaagad yung pera, sinend ko kaagad sa kapatid ko, nag iwan ako ng P2,500,” he said. 

(I checked the tickets while he was pretending to write. I logged in on my e-wallet, transferred the money, sent it to my sibling, and then left P2,500.)

If proven guilty, the MMDA said the suspect will be relieved from his post and may be charged criminally.

The MMDA also advised motorists to know their rights to avoid similar situations.

“Hindi naman nila kayo basta bastang maicha-charge e ng baseless accusation. Kung sila man ay chinarghe ka nila, puwede mong i-contest yung mga icha charge nila sayo,” said Vargas. 

(The traffic enforcers cannot charge you baselessly. You can contest the charges.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News