MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has relieved Special Operations Group-Strike Force head Gabriel Go from clearing operations while it investigates his conduct over a viral video showing him reprimanding a motorcycle rider identified as a teacher during a traffic apprehension.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the MMDA said it has received letters from various groups regarding the incident and directed Go to explain his side through a show cause order as part of an administrative investigation.
“The viral video of an incident involving our personnel Gabriel Go was brought to our attention, and we have also received letters from various groups,” the agency said, adding that Go’s participation in clearing operations “is currently held in abeyance pending the result of the investigation.”
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, drew criticism from some teachers’ groups and netizens over Go’s remarks toward the rider and his decision to post footage of the encounter online, despite blurring the teacher’s face.
Go earlier defended his actions in a public statement, saying that no profession is entitled to exemption from traffic laws and that educators, as role models for the youth, should be held to a higher standard of accountability.
“It’s blurred so there is no invasion of privacy,” Go told The Manila Times through Facebook Messenger when asked about criticism over the video’s publication.
He also argued that the incident reflected a broader problem of discipline and respect for rules, adding that the rider had allegedly attempted to flee after being apprehended and that such behavior underscored the need to strengthen accountability, discipline and exemplary conduct in the country’s educational system.
