2 arrested over MRT-3 track ‘selfie’

MANILA, Philippines — Two persons were arrested and charged after they posed for a “selfie” on the tracks of Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3)’s Quezon Avenue Station in
Quezon City on Sunday night.

The MRT-3 management on Monday filed charges of alarm and scandal against Jerald Oliva, 22, and Rey Llasos, 28.

The complaint against the two stemmed from an incident that took place along the northbound tracks of the station in Barangay Pinyahan at around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Alex Alberto, commander of the Kamuning police station, said Oliva went down the platform and sat on the tracks, which surprised everyone present at the station.

Llasos then pulled out his cell phone and took a selfie and then a photo of Oliva.

Security guards who witnessed the incident took the two into custody. They were brought to the police station at around 2:20 a.m. on Monday.

MRT-3 general manager Assistant Secretary Edymard Eje admonished the two for violating the rail transit’s safety protocols.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation said it hoped the incident would serve as a lesson for commuters to take the MRT-3’s policies seriously.