Motorist who shot MMDA enforcer faces charges

MANILA, Philippines -  A motorist who reportedly shot a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcer who flagged him down for violating the number coding scheme was charged with frustrated murder before the Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Edward John Gonzales, a laundry shop owner, was arrested at around 8 p.m. Wednesday night at his house in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City hours after the shooting by members of the Highway Patrol Group-National Capital Region (HPG-NCR). He is in the custody of the Mandaluyong police.

According to the HPG, enforcer Larry Fiala flagged down Gonzales’ black Nissan Frontier pick-up (WMD-505) along EDSA in Cubao for breaking the “number coding” scheme but the suspect reportedly got irked and hit him in the face before speeding away.

Fiala then chased Gonzales aboard his motorcycle until he caught up with him near Connecticut street along EDSA. Gonzales then reportedly stepped out of the pick-up and started arguing with the enforcer.

At the height of the argument, Gonzales reportedly went back into his vehicle and emerged with a gun and started shooting Fiala. He then boarded the pick-up and drove away. Fiala was rushed to the Victor Potenciano Medical Center by a taxicab driver.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the gun used in the incident, a .45 caliber pistol, was not recovered from Gonzales and police officers are still searching for it. Espina added that they are also checking if Gonzales is a legal gun owner and has a permit to carry.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino assured Fiala’s family that the MMDA will attend to his medical care and related needs. He said Fiala – who sustained at least three gunshot wounds in the abdomen, arms and hands – is recovering from emergency surgery.

“Fiala was performing his duty unarmed. All he had were his traffic citation tickets and his determination to enforce our traffic laws. It is appalling that a heartless individual would just shoot him for no clear reason,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino also thanked the HPG for its swift action as he called on motorists to give MMDA traffic enforcers the respect they deserve.

MMDA spokesperson Tina Velasco said Tolentino is considering arming some of its enforcers “as part of our public safety mandate.”

Former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando made the same proposal, which was scrapped after he encountered strong public opposition.