MMDA chief suspends traffic constable on extorting caught video

MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino. Photo courtesy of MMDA’s official Facebook page.a

MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Thursday ordered the suspension of the traffic constable allegedly involved in an extortion incident caught on video in front of Starmall on EDSA-Shaw Boulevard.

“The traffic constable involved has been suspended indefinitely, pending the investigation of the case wherein due process of law will be strictly observed,” Tolentino said, adding if proven guilty, he faces possible termination from the service.

The video-taped incident, uploaded on the Facebook page of Top Gear Philippines and has gone viral, shows an MMDA traffic constable apparently receiving money from bus conductors.

The MMDA chief stressed that illegal street activities will not be tolerated among the agency’s personnel.

“I am encouraging motorists and the general public as well to use video cameras to record and document perceived illegal or unlawful activities by our employees or by anybody to help attain a disciplined society, and also for evidentiary purposes,” he said.

Further, Tolentino urged the public to use MMDA’s Metro Solusyon website which aims to foster transparency and active civic participation in finding solutions to various metro-wide concerns.

The Metro Solusyon website can be accessed through www.metrosolusyon.mmda.gov.ph. The public can report complaints/incidents involving MMDA employees, laud or commend a good deed done by MMDA personnel through the website.

Anyone who will report any incident must log-in first. Complaints must include the full name of the complainant together with the specific date, time and place where the incident happened. They will receive a confirmation notice if their report was received successfully and will be given a reference number which they can use for follow-up.

According to Tolentino, complaints reported through the website will be verified initially.

“This way we can protect our personnel from malicious or prank reports. But we will immediately investigate legitimate complaints,” he explained.