MMDA official apologizes to Napolcom, police captain
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official who berated and shamed a police captain during an operation through a video that went viral on social media has owned up to his mistakes and issued an apology before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) yesterday morning.
Gabriel Go, in a press conference held at the office of Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, said he realized that emotion should be set aside the moment he goes out to carry out his tiring mandate, which is to clear the roads of Metro Manila from any forms of obstruction.
Go, who was part of the MMDA’s Special Operations Group, also apologized to Napolcom for the incident, said he had no intention to tarnish the image of the whole PNP organization.’
“Kung nakikinig ka man o nanonood ka man ngayon, humihingi din ako ng paumanhin sa yo,” he said referring to the concerned police captain.
Calinisan said that as far as Napolcom is concerned, being the PNP’s big brother, it is just right to call up the attention of its partner agency for the good as he pitched a reminder to Go that “we are public officials and we are not vloggers.”
The shaming incident happened during a clearing operation in front of the Anonas Police Station of the Quezon City Police District, where Go’s team ordered the transfer of motorcycles parked outside the allowed space, including the motorcycle of Police Captain Erik Felipe.
Admitting his fault, an apologetic Felipe immediately acted on Go’s order, which did not sit well with the MMDA official.
Felipe said he was willing to pay a fine for the violation.
Go however said; “Hindi ko gusto ang approach mo, kinausap ko ang station commander nyo na bawal mag-park dito pero di nyo ako pinakikinggan,”
The MMDA official directed his staff to issue a citation ticket to the cop.
Calinisan said the whole PNP organization was hurt by such treatment from no less than a partner agency of the government.
“Kahapon ramdam ko ang hinanakit ng ating mga kapulisan, pero dahil sa you are man enough to accept the mistake and asked for an apology, sana mag-move forward na tayo,” he added.
Although the apology was heartfully accepted, the Calinisan said; “Bigyan naman natin ng kurtesiya ang PNP uniform, . . .it boils down to one word … respect not just to the PNP but also respect to private individuals.”
On the part of Captain Felipe, the criminal charges to be filed against Go and vlogger Dada Koo will push through.
As of this writing, Felipe was already at the QC Prosecutor’s Office.
