MMDA Official Suspended Over Viral Incident with Teacher

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Special Operations Group – Task Force for Road Clearing head Gabriel Go was suspended from participating in clearing operations after the apprehension of a school teacher driving a motorcycle without a helmet went viral, the MMDA said on Wednesday. The MMDA said that it acknowledges the viral incident and the letters it received from different groups. It also said that it directed Go to explain the incident as it launched a probe into the incident. “Rest assured that we are conducting an investigation as to Mr. Go’s liability, and he was asked to explain his side in formal writing through a show cause order,” the MMDA said in a statement. “His participation in clearing operations is currently held in abeyance pending the result of the investigation,” the agency added. READ: MMDA official who shamed cop in viral video keeps job In a video posted by Go on his Facebook page on Tuesday, he called out a male teacher for driving his motorcycle without a helmet and asked for the latter’s certificate of registration. “Teacher ka tapos wala kang helmet? Paano natin tuturuan ang estudyante natin kung gano’n,” Go said. (You’re a teacher, yet you’re driving without a helmet? How are we going to teach our students if that is the case?) While the teacher asked not to be filmed, Go said that his face will be blurred in the video and told him not to introduce himself while the incident was being filmed. As the teacher said that he is known within the area, Go replied: “Eh dapat inisip niyo muna yan bago kayo gumawa nang mali.” (You should have thought of that first before doing something wrong.) The viral video drew mixed reactions from netizens, with some of them agreeing with Go’s remarks that a teacher should be a role model for the students. Meanwhile, many commented that Go should have talked to the teacher politely despite his authority as clearing operations head. Following the incident, Go remained firm with the apprehension, saying that no profession is exempted from obeying the laws. “Being part of the academe or being a teacher does not excuse anyone from following the basic rules and regulations. In fact, educators are expected to uphold a higher standard because their actions influence the next generation,” Go said in a separate Facebook post. ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio called on MMDA chairperson Don Artes to remove Go from his post. READ: MMDA exec apologizes for shaming cop during clearing op “Sibakin si Gabriel Go ng MMDA! Chairman Artes, it’s time for him to go!” Tinio wrote in a Facebook post. Go, who leads an MMDA unit responsible for removing obstructions in Metro Manila roads, is commonly known for his clearing operations, which are usually filmed and posted on his page. Last year, he drew flak for supposedly shaming a police officer during one of his operations in Quezon City. While he kept his post, he underwent a five-day training mentorship coaching on traffic management, “focusing on leadership, courtesy and discipline and with special attention on stress and anger management.” /gsg