A Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) road clearing operation along Taft Avenue in Pasay City went viral after a driver apprehended by authorities invoked religion during the arrest.
A video, recorded on April 30 showed Gabriel Go, head of the MMDA’s Special Operations Group-Strike Force, confronting a man for parking a motorcycle on the sidewalk.
The individual also initially refused to present his driver’s license to authorities.
“Ita-tow po ang motor niyo,” Go said.
The parking violator later mentioned his religion during the encounter.
“Iglesia naman ako sir, eh,” the man said, referring to the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
“Ay, ano naman?” Go responded.
The man continued speaking, but the MMDA official told him that religion should be used appropriately.
“Hindi po ginagamit ‘yun para excuse,” Go said.
The MMDA official later reiterated that religion should not be used or invoked in such situations.
“‘Wag mong ginagamit ‘yung relihiyon. Masama ‘yon. ‘Di ba? Tinuturo naman po ‘yun,” Go said.
The moment went viral in a Reddit community, where the uploader titled it as, “Using your religion to evade penalties.”
Using your religion to evade penalties
by
u/ScarletSilver in
Philippines
The post has received 3,800 upvotes and over 270 comments from users.
“So ‘pag INC, exempted pati sa law? Ano ka, ulikba?” a Redditor commented.
“Ilang beses na kaya niyang ginamit ‘yang religion nila para makalusot?” another asked.
“If hindi namedrop ng politiko, namedrop na ng religion,” a Redditor wrote.
The MMDA conducts road-clearing operations across Metro Manila to remove road obstructions such as illegally parked vehicles, sidewalk vendors, and illegal structures.
The Land Transportation and Traffic Code prohibits drivers from parking their vehicles on sidewalks, paths, or alleys not intended for vehicular use.
