The MMDA enforcer said that he was merely trying to settle the dispute between the driver of the red vehicle and another motorist. Photo courtesy of Bhadong Caldozo via MMDA

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it was eyeing to file an attempted homicide case against the driver of a red vehicle that dragged its enforcer while attempting to escape apprehension in Taguig City.

The SUV driver had been involved in a road crash with a motorcycle taxi rider.

• MMDA traffic enforcer nakaladkad ng sasakyan sa Taguig

In a press conference, the MMDA enforcer said that he was merely trying to settle the dispute between the driver of the red vehicle and another motorist.

In a press conference, MMDA enforcer Allan Harry Sadiua said that he was merely trying to settle the dispute between the two, when the driver rushed to leave.

“Habang ina-assist ko sila, ginawa niya, binangga-bangga nya ko. Instinct ko sasagasaan niya ko, pero imbes na sagasaan niya ko humawak ako sa hood. Zinigzag zigzag nya yung sasakyan para niya ako ilaglag. Siyempre takot tayo doon,” he recounted.

According to the MMDA, the SUV driver drove about 500 meters while the enforcer was on the hood his vehicle, and only slowed down because of heavy traffic.

The motorcycle taxi rider who the SUV driver supposedly hit also faced the media during the press conference, saying his passenger got hurt.

“Nung tinanong ko pasahero ko, (sabi niya) kuya nasaktan ako, masakit ganito ko, kaya pinigil ko po (yung driver). Hinarangan ko siya tapos binangga niya ako ulit,” he said.

MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said the driver came to their office earlier on Thursday to apologize for what happened.

But Artes asserted that the agency cannot and will not let the incident pass.

The MMDA is also seeking to have his driver’s license suspended or revoked, on top of the possible administrative and criminal cases it will file against him.

“We don’t find yung excuse niya acceptable. In fact, (there was) intent to kill kung ihuhulog mo yung tao na nasa hood, zinizigzag mo, pinepreno mo. Kaya despite ng pagpunta niya dito at paghingi niya ng tawad, we’ll make sure yung mga kaso ay aming ifa-file. Harapin na lang niya sa husgado,” said Artes.

But in a separate interview with the media, the driver of the SUV pointed out that it was actually the motorcycle taxi rider who hit him.

“Tumama na lang siya sa side mirror. Nung naayos ko po, hindi naman basag yung side mirror ko, inano ko na po, dumiretso na ko. Kaso humarang siya. Sabi ko, ikaw pa may lakas ng loob tumawag ng MMDA,” he said.

He also explained why he ran away, saying he panicked that he was going to be ganged up on by the rider and other people in the area.

“May bumabalagbag po doon sa likod ng sasakyan, parang gustong basagin yung sasakyan. Nagpanic po ako. Nag-arangkada ako, ‘di ko naano na nakasabit na pala yung MMDA (enforcer) doon. Humihingi po ako kay Chairman, sa MMDA enforcer, lahat ng na-agrabyado ko, pasensya na po. Wala po ako talagang intensyon,” he said.

But the traffic enforcer isn’t exactly forgiving.

“Hindi puwedeng patawarin po. Gusto ko po siyang makulong,” said Sadiua.

—Report from Andrea Taguines and Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

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