Illegal racers attack MMDA enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers who broke up an illegal scooter race along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard were attacked by the racers before dawn yesterday.

MMDA Traffic Discipline Office chief Yves Gonzalez said the MMDA enforcers were at the portion of the boulevard near the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) building when the racers tried to beat them up at around 1:40 a.m.

Gonzalez said the racers ganged up on motorcycle enforcer Raul Reuterez, hitting him on the head with what appeared to be a steel pipe. He was later rushed to a hospital to have his head wound stitched up.

“Prior to the attack, the enforcers heard the racers say they were going to get their guns and shoot them,” he said.

According to the MMDA, the racers who attacked Reuterez fled after the incident.

Gonzalez said the MMDA is reviewing footage from its closed-circuit television cameras along the boulevard to identify the racers. He said the MMDA would also ask the DFA for a copy of the footage taken by the CCTV cameras installed at the DFA building.

Cops needed

Gonzalez said the attack on Reuterez again brings to light the need to have MMDA traffic enforcers backed up by police officers while on duty “since our constables are not armed but the drag racers unfortunately are.”

He said the attack on Reuterez could have been a reaction by the racers since the MMDA’s Task Force Bantay Macapagal have been disrupting the illegal scooter races for the past two weeks.

“We position our enforcers at the boulevard from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when these races usually happen. For the past two weeks, we were able to stop some races from happening. Even before the races could begin, we would block the race path with traffic cones and they (racers) would go away,” he said, noting that the illegal races at the boulevard are “big stake” events.

Gonzalez also deplored the apparent lack of police assistance during the MMDA’s operation despite Pasay City and Parañaque passing ordinances prohibiting scooter and car racing along the boulevard.

“When we asked assistance from the Pasay police, we were pointed to the Parañaque police. When we approached the Parañaque police, they told us that the area is the jurisdiction of the Pasay police. They should have done something,” he said.

Gonzalez said the MMDA will intensify its watch over the boulevard following the attack on Reuterez.

“We will not let his injuries be in vain. We will continue with our mandate of enforcing traffic laws and preventing illegal drag racers from turning our streets into lawless racing strips,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA will deploy members of its Task Force Kalasag to the boulevard. MMDA spokesperson Ma. Lualhati Dorotan said the task force will bring more traffic enforcers and tow trucks to take away and impound scooters and cars of motorists caught engaging in illegal races.

Dorotan added that once Reuterez’s attackers are identified, charges will be filed by the MMDA.