Luxury car towed in MMDA clearing operations

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) did not hesitate to tow vehicles for illegal parking, including a luxury car along the C5-Extension Road in Taguig City. 

According to a "24 Oras" report by Bernadette Reyes, a luxury car was towed after the driver left it in the area. 

The MMDA Special Operations Group operatives were in the area for more than 10 minutes, but no one came forward to claim the vehicle.

"That goes to show na wala tayo pinipili (We don't choose which to tow)," said MMDA Special Operations Strike Force officer-in-charge Gabriel Go.

The driver, however, who arrived later, said he needed to use the restroom. 

“Nag-CR ang po kasi ako e dito po kasi ako nakatira. Alam ko naman po kaya humihingi po ako ng pasensya po,” said the driver. 

(I just took the restroom. I live in the area. I know it's wrong, and that's why I apologize.) 

Meanwhile, an SUV previously caught for illegal parking was also towed, resulting in a brief argument with the owner.

Several stalls along the sidewalks were also removed earning the ire of the vendors.

The MMDA said that the sidewalk should have an easement or space of at least one and a half meters for pedestrians to walk safely. 

“Hindi naman natin pinagkakait ang paghahanap buhay, pero kailangan natin ilagay sa tamang lugar at sa tamang paraan (We don't want to depirve them of their livelihood, but it should be done right),” Go said. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News