A show cause order has been issued to Special Operations Group – Strike Force head Gabriel Go after berating a police officer during a clearing operation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday.
“In relation to Mr. Go’s actions during clearing operations, a show cause order has already been issued to him,” the MMDA said in a statement.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our constituents. It will be a learning experience for Mr. Go and the MMDA as a whole,” it added.
While describing Go as a dedicated enforcer, the MMDA vowed that if he committed a mistake, the agency would accord him due process and penalize him as justified.
The MMDA said a proper apology should be made to the police officer for the harm it may have caused him and his family.
In a Facebook post, Senator JV Ejercito called out Go’s supposed overbearing and disrespectful actions. The senator urged MMDA chairperson Romando Artes to discipline his officials.
“Who gave the license or authority to this Gabriel Go to act this way? Saan ba nanggaling ito at napakayabang ‘ata? Overbearing and disrespectful to a police officer at that!” Ejercito said.
(Who gave the license or authority to this Gabriel Go to act this way? Where did this guy come from and he seems arrogant? Overbearing and disrespectful to a police officer at that!)
“Tinekitan naman na ang pulis tama ‘yon, no one is above the law, pero para ipahiya pa? Ano ito for the views? Dapat nag-vlogger ka na lang boi! MMDA Chairman Artes please discipline your officials!” Ejercito added.
(A ticket has been issued to the police, that’s right, no one is above the law, but to embarrass him? Is this for the views? You should just be a vlogger, man! MMDA Chairman Artes please discipline your officials!)
The MMDA said Go resigned from the agency in June 2023 and was rehired in November of the same year.
“At the time of his rehiring, no case had been filed against him. No formal or sworn complaint, nor any supporting documentation related to the matter, was submitted to the MMDA Committee on Decorum and Investigation,” the MMDA said.
According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” the National Police Commission is investigating the incident.
NAPOLCOM commissioner Atty. Rafael Calinisan said the MMDA could have just issued the traffic violation ticket. He said the police officer had also apologized.
Calinisan said he had spoken to the police officer who was reportedly planning to file a complaint for violation of the Data Privacy Act in connection with the video taken if the incident and posted online.
The video has since been taken down.—Joviland Rita/BAP, GMA Integrated News
