MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. (Ali Vicoy / File photo / Manila Bulletin)
This, as MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos terminated from service of traffic enforcers Mark James Ayatin and Jayson Salibio, both job order personnel assigned at C5 Special Traffic Zone.
Reports said the two were caught on video last week in their attempt to extort money from motorist Christ Edward Lumagui. Lumagui asked for a ticket for his supposed traffic violation but was made to pay P300 in grease money instead.
“These two traffic enforcers are now terminated. The MMDA does not and will never condone any wrongdoing of our personnel,” Abalos said in a statement Sunday, May 16.
MMDA traffic czar Edison “Bong” Nebrija (Photo from Nebrija’s Facebook)
The agency’s EDSA traffic czar, Edison “Bong” Nebrija gave this guarantee to his followers on Facebook Monday, May 10, even as he pleaded to the public for a “chance to clean their ranks”.
“Give us a chance to clean our ranks of scalawags. We are covered by the civil service code as such we adhere to due process from investigation to termination, no short cuts,” he wrote in a post.
Case in point of this “due process” is the dismissal of two MMDA traffic enforcers for extortion raps, a separate post of which was shared by Nebrija.
(Photo from Miriel Custodio’s Facebook)
It was only last April 26 when MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos first summoned Edmon Belleca and Christian Malemit to his office after they were caught on video asking for P1,000 in exchange for the non-apprehension of the couple for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10913, otherwise known as Anti-Distracted Driving Act and Reckless Driving.
“Natapos na po ang imbestigasyon ng MMDA sa kaso ng dalawang enforcers na ito. Dahil sa bigat ng mga ebidensya laban sa kanila, sila po ay napatunayang guilty kaya’t tanggal na po sila sa kanilang tungkulin at hindi na maaaring makapag-serbisyo pang muli (The MMDA has completed its investigation on these two enforcers. Based on the strong evidence against them, they have been proven guilty and will be dismissed from the service with no possibility of returning),” Abalos said in a statement Monday, May 10.
MMDA traffic czar Edison Bong Nebrija (Photo from Edison Bong Nebrija’s Facebook)
This, as Nebrija gave his two cents on Facebook regarding the case of two MMDA traffic enforcers who are facing dismissal over allegations of extortion.
“I was able to talk to the complainants/victims this morning and assured them that we will hold accountable our enforcers who fall short of our mandated ethical standards. No less than our chairman is on top of the situation to make sure justice will be served,” he said, referring to enforcers Edmon Belleca and Christian Malemit.
The duo, which allegedly extorted P1,000 from a motorist-couple over the weekend, was summoned Monday morning by MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. They were subsequently placed under preventive suspension for 90 days.
Published April 26, 2021, 4:34 PM
The two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers who allegedly extorted P1,000 from a motorist-couple have now been placed under preventive suspension for 90 days.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos handed down the order on Monday, April 26, even as the two Traffic Discipline Office (TDO) members are being investigated for extortion, grave misconduct, and other offenses punishable by dismissal from the service.
Abalos served the notice of charge to traffic enforcers Edmon Belleca and Christian Malemit, who are permanent employees of the agency.
“Upon learning of the incident, I immediately ordered our TDO and Legal Department to conduct a thorough investigation. I am very angry with what they did, they have besmirched the name of the agency. However, administrative procedures require that they be given due process,” he said.