(Shared by MMDA on their Facebook Page)
According to MMDA acting chairman Don Artes, the driver showed up at his office on August 29, 2024, to apologize for the incident that almost cost MMDA traffic enforcer Allan Harry Sadiua his life. However, the MMDA is still planning to press charges against him.
MMDA plans to charge the driver with homicide and direct assault for dragging Sadiua on his hood while speeding along Sales-East Service Road in Barangay Western Bicutan on August 27, 2024, at 8:52 am.
"A driver's license is a mere privilege, not a right, granted by the state, which if abused and misused may be suspended or revoked by the state, thus, will always yield to the general welfare of the community. The driver was escaping responsibility, illustrating that he is undeserving of his driving privilege and as such, should be stripped or suspended thereof until he can show worthiness thereto once again," Artes stated in a formal complaint against the driver.
Based on a police investigation, the red SUV hit a motorbike of a ride-hailing app company carrying a passenger at the back.
The motorbike rider positioned his vehicle in front of the SUV to prevent it from escaping and taking responsibility for its actions.
Upon noticing the incident, traffic enforcer Sadiua went to the accident scene to investigate.
Instead of cooperating, the SUV driver fled. Sadiua pursued the vehicle until he caught up with it and blocked its path to prevent it from leaving.
However, the vehicle still kept moving, causing the traffic enforcer to cling onto the hood due to being hit by the said vehicle.
Sadiua was dragged up to 500 meters away from the collision scene. He was only able to get off the hood when the traffic flow slowed down. After the traffic enforcer got off, the vehicle escaped once again.
"Instead of facing the responsibility of side-swiping a motorcycle rider and a passenger, he tried to escape. But we will not tolerate this kind of wrongdoing. He will face criminal charges as a result of his actions. Any explanation is not acceptable because the incident has elements of assault upon a person in authority and has intent to cause harm to our enforcer," Artes added.
(Videos and images from the MMDA Facebook Page)
