MMDA releases CCTV of SUV with No. 7 plate on busway

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority released a video of the apprehension on November 3 of the luxury SUV with protocol plate No. 7 on the EDSA busway.

In a statement, the MMDA chairman Atty. Don Artes said that the agency didn't withhold the footage, adding that requesting parties were provided copies, "aware that the incident needs to be attended and addressed immediately."

“The MMDA did not withhold or try to hide something from the incident," MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said. 

Artes said the CCTV footage have been made available to the Department of Transportation - Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTR-SAICT), the Land Transportation Office, and the office of Senator Raffy Tulfo on November 4.

Artes said he had already clarified an apparent miscommunication with Tulfo and the latter requested further review to determine at which point on the busway the SUV entered, exited, and allegedly re-entered after it was apprehended.

A corporation named Orient Pacific has come forward to say that the white SUV was registered under its name. SEC records showed that the president of the firm is Kenneth Gatchalian, a brother of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and himself an aspirant for a congressional seat.

The senator has said that he was allowing the LTO to handle the issue.

Artes said that MMDA no longer has personnel deployed in the busway as it has withdrawn all of its traffic personnel assigned in the busway effective June 30.

Therefore, the management of the EDSA busway was transferred exclusively to the DOTR-SAICT, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The MMDA’s decision to withdraw its personnel assigned in the EDSA busway was due to the need of the agency to augment its personnel deployment in consideration of the rerouting brought upon by the ongoing rehabilitation of flyovers and bridges along EDSA.

Artes said that the agency is committed to its mandate and endeavors, geared towards improving and upgrading traffic and transport management in Metro Manila.

"The MMDA has remained steadfast and dedicated to its mission of providing just public service and has always aspired to hold its position of impartiality in all of the issues that it has faced, true to its core values of being Marangal, Matapat, and Disiplinado," he said. —NB, GMA Integrated News