April Fools' Day: MMDA as Avengers

MANILA - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) tried to lighten up the mood on April Fools' Day.

The traffic agency posted a tweet that includes a photo of four MMDA traffic personnel made to look like superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk and Thor.

The tweet also had this April Fools' joke:

ADVISORY: Expect the MMDA Avengers today. Happy #AprilFools Day! :p pic.twitter.com/K2iv6bugES

— Official MMDA (@MMDA) April 1, 2016

This is not the first time the MMDA pulled off a prank on April Fools' Day.

Back in 2012, the MMDA tweeted: "ADVISORY: Number Coding is lifted today, April 1, Sunday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Maserati used in MMDA enforcer attack found

MANILA - Authorities have found the luxury car of a motorist who assaulted a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcer Thursday.

The car, a Maserati, was found in a condominium in Quezon City.

The owner has been identified as Joseph Russell Ingco of Valencia Hills, Quezon City.

The MMDA has put up a P100,000 reward to anyone who has information on his whereabouts.

Traffic enforcer Jorbe Adriatico plans to file cases of serious physical injuries and direct assault to a person in authority against Ingco.



Adriatico earlier said he flagged down the blue Maserati after it tried to make an illegal left turn at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Araneta Avenue.

The traffic constable said he took a video of the Maserati, prompting the driver to go straight on Araneta Avenue and make a u-tur

The Maserati driver then gave Adriatico the dirty finger, angering the MMDA employee who then challenged the driver to do it again.

It was then that the driver grabbed Adriatico's phone and his collar and dragged him along while the car was moving along Quezon Avenue.

Adriatico said Ingco punched him twice in the face, breaking his nose, even as he ran beside the car.

He said the driver only let him go when his passenger noticed that another traffic enforcer was following them on a motorcycle.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino also said they expect more details on Ingco to come out today. They also want to cancel his driver's license.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Viral photo was a kidnapping: police

MANILA - Police believe a viral photo of several men pointing guns at a vehicle along EDSA's southbound lane was nothing less than an abduction.

The viral photo showed five men pointing guns at a white Toyota Fortuner just before the EDSA Ortigas flyover.

Four vehicles surrounded the Fortuner including a Toyota Land Cruiser in front, a Toyota Hi-Ace on one side and a Honda Civic in the back. A blue motorcycle with two passengers was also on the other side of the Fortuner.

Two witnesses said the incident occurred past 2 p.m. last Monday, September 1.

One witness claimed the armed men shouted at the people inside the Fortuner to get out of the vehicle.

"Narinig ko baba baba, tatlong beses at tinutukan," the witness said.

The armed men allegedly broke the window in the back of the Fortuner. The driver then got out of the vehicle and was forced inside the back of the Honda Civic.

One of the suspects then boarded the Fortuner and drove off.

The witnesses said the whole incident lasted about three to five minutes.

Senior Superintendent Job Marasigan, Eastern Police District deputy district director for operations, said the incident could not have been a legitimate police operation since there was no coordination coming from other law enforcement agencies.

He also pointed out that the driver of the Fortuner was forcibly taken and the vehicle commandeered by one of the suspects.

The witnesses said they could not recall the license plates of the vehicles.

Police said the Toyota Hi-Ace's conduction sticker had the letters "YY."

"We are asking the anti-cybercrime unit to enhance the photos," Marasigan said.

Police said another photo showed a passenger bus near the area, leading them to believe that the driver and passengers might have witnessed the crime.

Police have also asked the original uploader of the photo to coordinate with the police. The original uploader has removed the photo and deleted the Twitter account.

CCTV cameras of the Metro Manila Development Authority failed to capture the incident on video. Authorities are now checking if CCTV cameras in other parts of EDSA were able to record the vehicles before and after the incident.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com