MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit has issued a clarification that its security personnel have no intention to kill the naked man who trespassed the MRT-3 property on Wednesday.
The management issued the statement after an unidentified intruder, completely naked, entered the premises of the MRT around 8:43 a.m. He was shot by security guard named Frederico Bustamante.
“With this incident, the DOTr MRT-3 would like to clarify that Bustamante's intent was not to kill the trespasser, but to immobilize the latter from inflicting more harm to civilians, and cause damage to vehicles passing by, since giving warning shots failed to control his behavior,” the MRT said in a statement.
“Again, the action done by the involved security personnel did not show any intention of killing the intruder, rather, to incapacitate him in order to control his aggressiveness,” it added.
The MRT said its Safety and Security Unit’s initial report said that the intruder entered the premises through the fence between Posts 3 and 4 at the interstation near Ayala Station.
The trespasser was seen by a security personnel of Ayala station but he tried to escape and run towards Magallanes station when he saw the guard.
The report said three security guards and two Philippine National Police personnel went down the tracks to apprehend the intruder but he started throwing rocks.
“When the intruder was cornered by the authorities, the former had started to throw rocks which prompted Security Guard Frederico Bustamante to give two warning shots but this did not stop the intruder from throwing rocks, which resulted Bustamante to fire twice targeting the intruder's left leg and right foot,” the MRT explained.
The MRT said the trespasser was arrested by the authorities at 8:47 a.m.
He was subsequently brought to the Ospital ng Makati for treatment. The intruder is currently being monitored by MRT-3 security personnel.
Meanwhile, Bustamante surrendered to the police and was brought to Pasay City Police Station 5 in Makati City for questioning.
After the incident, the MRT assured the public that it is only prioritizing the safety and security of passengers. It added that the incident is being investigated by the PNP. — Rosette Adel