The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has temporarily suspended Special Operations Group- Task Force for Road Clearing head Gabriel Go from clearing operations pending the agency's investigation into a viral incident involving the apprehension of a teacher who was riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
In a statement, the MMDA said it received several letters from diffrent groups regarding the incident, which drew widespread attention on social media after a video showed Go confronting the motorist.
The agency said it is investigating Go's conduct during the apprehension, particularly allegations that he publicly humiliated the teacher while enforcing traffic regulations.
"Rest assured that we are conducting an investigation as to Mr. Go's liability, and he was asked to explain his side in formal writing through a show cause order," the MMDA said.
“His participation in clearing operations is currently held in abeyance pending the result of the investigation,” the agency added.
On Tuesday, July 14, Go shared a video on Facebook showing him confronting a male teacher for driving his motorcycle without wearing a helmet.
"Teacher ka po sir, dapat ikaw ang better example sa kabataan. Tandaan natin, the school is our second home at ang mga guro ang tumatayong magulang," Go wrote in the caption.
During the encounter, the teacher asked not to be filmed or have the video posted on social media. However, Go responded that the teacher's face would be blurred and advised him not to identify himself.
Despite this, the video drew widespread criticism from netizens, with some describing it as a form of public shaming.
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio called on MMDA Chairperson Don Artes to remove Go from his post.
“Sibakin si Gabriel Go ng MMDA! Chairman Artes, it’s time for him to go!” Tinio wrote in a Facebook post.
In a separate video statement, the ACT Teachers Party-list likewise urged the MMDA to relieve Go of his position, citing what it described as his continued violation of the agency's own directive prohibiting personnel from making personal social media posts related to MMDA operations, as well as his alleged disregard for the privacy rights of citizens.
Moreover, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) condemned the incident and formally wrote to the MMDA seeking clarification on Go's conduct, accusing him of publicly humiliating a teacher during the enforcement of a traffic violation.
"While affirming that teachers must obey traffic laws and should be held accountable for violations, TDC emphasizes that its concern is not the enforcement of the law itself, but whether it was carried out with the professionalism, courtesy, and respect for human dignity expected of public servants," the group said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Despite the controversy, the post remains on Go's social media account.
