The fatality was identified as Simon Balucos, 28, of Cainta, Rizal. He was a newly hired roving security guard of the MRT Guadalupe station.
MRT spokesman Mariano Gui said the guard was checking the area near the tracks for thieves at around 5: 30 p.m. when a train on the southbound track hit him. He was killed instantly.
MRT officials described the incident as a "freak accident," which could have been avoided if the guard had been more careful.
He said Balucos was not wearing reflectors on his uniform and was not at the designated safe zone for maintenance and security personnel.
An investigation is now being conducted by the Makati Police Department—Criminal Investigation Division. Police are expected to question the guard’s supervisor and the driver of the train to determine if there were lapses on their part.
As a result of the guard’s death, MRT officials had no choice but to delay train operations, which left early commuters at both southbound and northbound stations stranded.
Trains were only allowed to operate after an initial investigation of the scene of the accident was conducted and after the body was removed from the tracks.
The train which hit Balucos was carrying no passengers and was reportedly collecting earnings from the various MRT stations at the time of the accident.