A screengrab from a Facebook video shared by Senator JV Ejercito shows that Special Operations Group Task Force head Gabriel Go is discussing towing matters with an old man during the agency鈥檚 clearing operations. 鈥擲creengrab from The Fraternal Order of Eagles/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Netizens have expressed their anger and frustration over one of the clearing operations of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) involving an old man.
Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday shared a Facebook video with a caption: 鈥淎 touch of humanity and consideration in public service and enforcement will be understood and appreciated.鈥�
In the video, MMDA Special Operations Group Task Force head Gabriel Go was seen explaining to an old man why his vehicle was issued a ticket and got towed.
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鈥淎ng sasakyan kapag nakaillegal park, katulad po ng nangyaring 鈥檡an, nakaharang, walang madaanan mga tao鈥� Iniwan 鈥檡ung sasakyan, nakapark, ang problema, naharangan ng bangketa, naharangan yung gutter ng kalsada, which is bawal po 鈥檡on,鈥� Go said.
Go added that the vehicle malfunctioned, causing it to be stalled on the sideways. While no commotion was formed between the two, the old man expressed defeat and asked for understanding.
鈥淎ko po ay nagkasala pero ang akin lang po, kaunting konswelo dahil sa edad kong ito, hindi ko maitulak,鈥� the elderly expressed.
Go then said while he understood the situation of the man, such an incident should not be ignored as it would be unfair to others. He added that the elderly should have asked for help from enforcers when he saw the clearing operations from the other side of the street.
Many netizens in the comment section of the video pointed out the unfairness of the situation for the elderly.
鈥淵es, law applies to all and ignorance of the law excuses no one. But we should understand that we don鈥檛 have the same privilege. Imagine magkano magtubos kung pambili ng pang araw araw na food wala (Imagine how much you would spend to get your vehicle but you don鈥檛 have money to spend on food). Not to be selective but maybe empathy, consideration, help from these authorities malaking help sa community (will be a big help in the community). You cannot earn respect for being harsh and being so bully,鈥� another netizen wrote.
Another comment said that while they agree that law violators must be punished, 鈥渢his one clearly needed help and our government se[r]vant failed to do so.鈥�
Meanwhile, some said that 鈥渘o one is above the law,鈥� adding that it can be abused by many people.
鈥淭ouch of humanity and consideration鈥� Paano po yung iba na gagamitin lang ito para makalusot sa parusa? Di po ba, the law applies to all?鈥� (How about those who use this excuse to evade punishment? Law applies to all, right?)
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Ejercito earlier shared a Facebook video where Go ticketed a Quezon City cop for parking on a sidewalk. He then criticized Go鈥檚 behavior towards the police officer, which he described as 鈥渙verbearing and disrespectful.鈥�
MMDA Chairman Don Artes on Tuesday said that a show cause order was issued to Go. He added that the 鈥渄edicated MMDA officer鈥� would be given due process and penalize him 鈥渁s justified鈥� if he committed a mistake.