2 airport cops axed over EDSA busway scuffle

MANILA, Philippines — Two airport police personnel were relieved from their posts for allegedly using the EDSA busway and confronting an enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) over the weekend, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced yesterday.

The MMDA said it is planning to file charges against Pvt. 1st Class Raymond Anuran and Pvt. Michael Lilis.

Anuran and Lilis are under suspension while they are being investigated, according to MIAA general manager Eric Ines.

The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) said an airport police vehicle traversed the northbound lane of the EDSA busway in Guadalupe, Makati on Sunday.

The two refused to present their driver’s license when the MMDA enforcer stopped the vehicle, the SAICT said.

When the MMDA enforcer attempted to take video footage of the verbal exchange, one of the airport personnel tried to grab the former’s cell phone, triggering a commotion.

They refused to give their names to the MMDA enforcer, according to the SAICT.

“We cannot just tolerate this kind of abuse. It is embarrassing,” Ines said.

Manny Gonzales, MIAA assistant general manager for Security and Emergency Services, said the MIAA employees were on official business during the incident.

“But using the EDSA bus lane without authorization is a violation,” he said. “There’s a government directive regarding (only) five exemptions.”

For government officials, only the president, Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives and the chief justice are allowed to use the EDSA busway as part of their official functions.