Traffic enforcers get crash course on martial arts

MANILA, Philippines - In the wake of the near fatal shooting of a traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agency plans to subject all its traffic enforcers in a crash course on martial arts.

“Isa sa mga consideration natin na ang enforcers bigyan sila ng martial arts training para maprotektahan nila ang kanilang sarili,” MMDA assistant general for operations Emerson Carlos said.

Carlos said the MMDA is also studying the possibility of arming some MMDA traffic enforcers.

Carlos led some 200 traffic enforcers of the MMDA in a picket in front of the Hall of Justice at the city hall compound of Mandaluyong to seek justice for the shooting of traffic enforcer Larry Fiala.

Fiala was shot three times by Edward John Gonzales at Connecticut street along EDSA in Mandaluyong City, when he flagged him down for breaking the number coding scheme.

Gonzales, an owner of a laundry shop, is now under the custody of the Mandaluyong police. He is facing charges for direct assault and frustrated murder before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office. Bail for his temporary freedom was set at P200,000.

The MMDA traffic enforcers expressed fears a whitewash of the cases against Gonzales amid reports that he is related to a congressman. – Mike Frialde, Non Alquitran