Palace defers arming MMDA enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - A proposal to arm Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers must be carefully studied even if one of them was wounded in a shooting last week, a Malacañang official said yesterday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace has yet to tackle the issue but it would be better to let emotions subside first since the proposal was being pushed follwing what happened to enforcer Larry Fiala, who was shot thrice after apprehending motorist Edward John Gonzales last Wednesday.

“There are many things that have to be discussed,” she said over radio station dzRB, adding that various sectors would have to be “calm” before making an assessment of whether there is a need for MMDA enforcers to have guns.

Valte said the MMDA will have to find out if it still has a budget to carry out the proposal. She said arming MMDA enforcers would not be easy since the government will have to see if there are funds to buy the guns and then assess and train the enforcers.

She also said the MMDA enfor­cers’ appeal for additional hazard pay would have to be decided by the agency itself.

Alleged shooter a flight risk?

The MMDA will ask the court to place Gonzales, who allegedly shot Fiala, under a hold departure order, assistant general manager Emerson Carlos said.

He said there is a possibility that Gonzales might flee the country to escape prosecution.

Gonzales, a businessman who owns a laundry shop, posted P200,000 bail set by the Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office Friday afternoon.

On Friday morning, Carlos and some 200 MMDA traffic enforcers held a picket at the grounds of Mandaluyong’s justice hall to show their support for Fiala, who is still recuperating at a hospital.

“He (Gonzales) just waited for us to leave the area before posting bail. He has money,” Carlos said. According to Carlos, given Gonzales’ apparent financial capability, it would not be that hard for him to slip away and leave the country.

According to the MMDA, Fiala flagged down Gonzales’ black Nissan Frontier pick-up truck (WMD-505) Friday afternoon for breaking the “number coding” regulation. Gonzales allegedly punched Fiala in the head before speeding away.

Fiala gave chase on his motorcycle and caught up with Gonzales at Connecticut street. Gonzales reportedly got out and confronted the enforcer. Shortly after, the motorist reportedly went back to his truck and emerged with a .45 caliber pistol, which he used to shoot Fiala in the abdomen, hand and arm.

Gonzales left the scene, and Fiala was brought to the Victor Potenciano Medical Center by the driver of a passing taxi. The suspect was arrested at around 8 p.m. at his house in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City by members of the Highway Patrol Group-National Capital Region (HPG-NCR).

Gonzales is facing charges for direct assault and frustrated murder before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office. His case will be raffled off tomorrow to a judge who will try the case.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is asking the Philippine National Police to verify if Gonzales is a licensed gun owner.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina earlier said the gun used in the shooting was not recovered from Gonzales. He added that they are also checking if Gonzales is a legal gun owner and has a permit to carry a gun.

“He carried a gun and fired one. The question now is if he is a licensed gun owner and if he has a permit to carry one. If he has no permit for the gun, we could file an additional charge for illegal possession of a firearm,” Carlos said.