MMDA exec in hot water over ‘arrest’ of motorist

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios is now in hot water after allegedly firing his gun while accosting a motorist in Quezon City last Sunday.

Prof. Allan Belizario of the Manila Times Language Institute is now contemplating on filing charges against the ranking MMDA official before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

In an interview with The STAR, Belizario said the incident happened at around 3:15 a.m. on the northbound lane of Quezon Avenue near Pantranco.

He was driving a gray Toyota Corolla on his way home when a white Isuzu Trooper behind them started blasting its siren.

Belizario said he was willing to let the vehicle pass, considering that the same appeared to be in a hurry, but he just couldn’t do so quickly enough since another vehicle was in the way.

When the road cleared, the Isuzu Trooper slowed down near his vehicle, giving Belizario and his companion a view of the driver who was pulling out a gun.

"Nataranta na kami kaya binilisan namin," he told The STAR, saying a brief chase ensued before ending near National Bookstore.

When Belizario stopped his car, Vergel de Dios allegedly alighted and asked them if they knew who they were up against.

Belizario said Vergel de Dios tried to drag his companion out of the car and fired a shot to the ground using a silver caliber .45 pistol.

He said he noticed that the MMDA official’s vehicle was not sporting a red license plate and had no escorts, but he was being tailed by a black Honda CRV being driven by a woman.

Belizario said Vergel de Dios later radioed for back-up, bringing a white mini van and an MMDA vehicle to the scene.

They were turned over to the MMDA personnel who brought them to a satellite office at the corner of East Avenue and EDSA-Kamuning near the GMA-7 building.

Belizario, who teaches computer literacy for journalism students of the Manila Times School of Journalism, said it was there that they confirmed the identify of Vergel de Dios since he was being referred to as M-1 or Metro 1.

He said and his friend were taken to and from Camp Crame several times because Vergel de Dios ordered that they be tested for alcohol.

Belizario admitted that he drank two bottles of beer, but said he was not drunk so as to be accused of being unfit to drive a motor vehicle.

Interviewed over dzBB radio, Vergel de Dios admitted the incident took place, but justified his actions, saying he was simply performing his duty as an MMDA official to protect the public from a suspected drunk driver.

De Dios confirmed he had a siren in his car and he pulled out his gun, but not before identifying himself as a person of authority.

MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna said he heard of the incident and that Vergel de Dios claimed Belizario and his companion were under the influence of liquor.

"That’s all I know. In so far as possible abuse of authority, we will investigate and look into it, of course," he said.

Belizario said he is now consulting with his colleagues at the Manila Times over the filing charges against Vergel de Dios.