MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has suspended Gabriel Go from joining MMDA clearing operations amid public criticism for shaming a teacher who drove a motorcycle without a helmet.
“He is still an employee. He is not suspended from work. It’s just that we do not allow him to join clearing operations pending investigation,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.
Go, who heads the MMDA’s Special Operations Group-Strike Force, received flak from groups of educators after berating the teacher for a traffic violation and then recording the incident.
Video footage posted on Go’s Facebook account went viral.
Artes said the MMDA would review its policy on posting content of apprehended traffic violators on social media.
Under existing guidelines, Artes said MMDA officials are not allowed to post content that may demean or humiliate people during operations.
According to Artes, Go is allowed to post clearing operations on social media as long as it aligns with MMDA policies and data privacy laws.
“When posting in a separate account from the official page of the MMDA, I require them to blur the footage of the person so they are not recognized or bashed and to protect their privacy,” said Artes.
He said video recordings online also serve as a tool to educate the public about road discipline.
“As a lawyer and as head of the MMDA, when in a public place, there is no need for the subject’s consent,” Artes said. “It’s a legitimate government operation.”
The MMDA said it would summon Go to determine if he violated the agency’s policy and will implement appropriate sanctions if he is found liable.
In a separate interview, MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III said: “The video was taken down by the agency for the protection of the traffic violator and the MMDA employees.”
Teachers welcome Go’s suspension
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition lauded the suspension of Go from participating in road clearing operations.
In a statement, TDC chairman Benjo Basas maintained that while the group does not condone traffic violators, regardless of one’s profession or social status, he said law enforcement must always be carried out with professionalism, fairness, due process and respect for human rights.
Basas said the teacher remained respectful and cooperative, acknowledged his violation and did not dispute the authority of the apprehending traffic officer.
He said Go published an AI-generated graphic stating that teachers are “not exempt from the law and are expected to uphold a higher standard because they serve as role models for the youth.” — Bella Cariaso