Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos has ordered the preventive suspension of two personnel from the agency’s Traffic Discipline Office (TDO) for alleged extortion activities.
Abalos served the notice of charge to traffic enforcers Edmon Belleca and Christian Malemit who are both permanent employees of the agency.
Belleca and Malemit were placed under 90-day preventive suspension pending the result of investigation for the following charges: extortion, grave misconduct, and other offenses punishable by dismissal from the service.
“Upon learning of the incident, I immediately ordered our TDO and Legal Department to conduct a thorough investigation,” the traffic chief said.
“I am very angry with what they did.”
“I am very angry with what they did, they have besmirched the name of the agency. However, administrative procedures require that they be given due process,” the traffic head added.
According to Abalos, because of the gravity of the offense and the evidence against them, they are preventively suspended.
The incident, a video of which went viral on social media, occured on April 23 around 3pm to 4pm at the vicinity of EDSA-A. Bonifacio split towards NLEX.
Based on the video footage taken and uploaded by complainant Miriel Custodio, Belleca and Malemit asked for P1,000 as bribe money in exchange for non-apprehension for violation of Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act and Reckless Driving.
Abalos emphasized the agency does not and will never condone such misconduct.
“We will not tolerate this wrongdoing among our ranks.”
“We will not tolerate this wrongdoing among our ranks. I will not let anyone tarnish the image of the agency,” he stressed.
Teroy Taguinod, MMDA TDO head, expressed dismay over the enforcers’ behavior.
“I am disappointed in the alleged extortion committed by Belleca and Malemit. We frequently remind our enforcers to do the right thing as public servants and they should not engage in illegal activities,” Taguinod said.
Abalos urged motorists and the public to report any scrupulous activities among MMDA personnel for appropriate actions.