Drunk driver enters busway, hits MMDA enforcer

MANILA, Philippines — A private motorist hit a traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as he reportedly illegally entered the EDSA Bus Carousel lane in Cubao, Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Mark Anthony Bagtas admitted to police he had been driving under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

Enforcer Jefferson Villaruel was injured while apprehending Bagtas for violating the EDSA busway rules at around 5 a.m.

Villaruel told police he was riding his motorcycle when he observed a white sedan entering the busway in Cubao.

The enforcer followed the vehicle and signaled the driver to exit the busway.

Though Bagtas initially complied, he then tried to reenter the busway.

In an attempt to prevent Bagtas’ reentry, Villaruel used his motorcycle to block Bagtas’ sedan.

When Bagtas did not stop, the collision threw Villaruel from the motorcycle and damaged traffic barriers and the concrete center island.

Bagtas, who had two female passengers, insisted that he tried to avoid the MMDA enforcer, a move that resulted in his sedan colliding with the traffic barriers.

Lt. Col. Macario Loteyro, Quezon City Police District traffic sector chief, told The STAR Villaruel, who underwent a medical examination at a hospital, “will no longer complain and both parties have reached a settlement.”

He added that Bagtas was given a ticket for reckless driving while his sedan was impounded by the MMDA.