MMDA eyes syndicate in executive's shooting

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday called on the Philippine National Police to investigate the shooting of one of its sidewalk clearing team leaders in Quezon City Saturday night.

“We believe we have stepped on the operation of a criminal syndicate protecting the sidewalk vendors (at the EDSA-North Avenue footbridge) so they hit back at Nelson Magan,” leader of a Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG), MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said.

Reports reaching the MMDA said Magan was leading his team in clearing a portion of EDSA leading to the North Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) when he was shot from behind by the unidentified attacker armed with a .9mm pistol.

The bullet went through Magan’s chest and narrowly missed his heart. He is now confined at the Capitol Medical Center.

Inocentes condemned the shooting as he stressed that the MMDA will not be cowed and will press on with its clearing operations.

“This is what we get for trying to keep our roads and sidewalks clear of obstructions and eyesores. We will not be cowed, instead this incident will only inspire us more to work harder,” Inocentes said.

He said they “have not been using violence or intimidation in our sidewalk clearing operations because we know that even illegal vendors have their rights which we are constitutionally bound to respect. Killing our men because they were only doing their duty is totally wrong and can never be justified.”

Inocentes also ordered the Office of the Assistant General Manager for Operations to extend all the necessary assistance to Magan and his family.

“Effective immediately, MMDA employees, especially those assigned in SCOG who will be suffer injuries while on duty will be given P50,000 in cash aid. This is the least we could give them to recognize their hard work, dedication to duty, and sacrifice,” he said.

According to Inocentes, just hours before the shooting, Magan also led his team in clearing the sidewalk of the southbound lane of EDSA from the North Avenue intersection to the North Avenue station of the MRT.

During the clearing operation, a confrontation between the MMDA men and the sidewalk vendors erupted. One of Magan’s men was slightly injured during the incident, the MMDA said.