MANILA, Philippines – A patient inside an ambulance didn't make it when a traffic enforcer flagged them down and refused to let them go.
A Facebook post shared by Dan Russell Santos a video showing an altercation between an ambulance driver and a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) officer. According to Santos, the ambulance was on its way to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to bring a patient, another MTPB officer who had a heart attack.
Since the ambulance was in a hurry, it tried to make its way around the traffic. The enforcer flagged down the ambulance and tried to give them a ticket for apparently causing traffic. The ambulance driver tried to argue that they have a patient who is in dire need of medical assistance but the enforcer didn't back down. The traffic enforcer insisted that the ambulance has no right to go ahead of everyone else.
The enforcer can be heard saying, “O kayo magtrapik! Porke’t ba ambulansya gusto niyo paliparin ko kayo agad?”
Santos also added the enforcer said, “Eh ano kung ambulansya hindi naman daw kelangan magmadali at padaanin ang mga nagmamadaling mga ambulansya.” The frustrated netizen also shared that the enforcer asked them to delete the video taken of the altercation and refused to let them go. Santos wrote, “Pinapabura din po ang video sa pinsan ko at ayaw syang paalisin at humaharang pa sa kalsada na daraanan ng ambulansya.”
The man on the video, a cousin of Santos can be heard pleading to the enforcer to allow them to pass, “Kapag may nangyari dito kuya isipin mo. Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa sitwasyon niya.”
The enforce replied, “Gusto mo mangyari yan sa akin? Wala kang respeto sakin eh. Binabastos mo ako eh. Kayo na mgtrapik. Hindi porke’t ambulansya ano kayo, mali-mali ang trapik.”
Sadly, the patient died and didn’t make it to PGH on time. Santos wrote, “Uulitin ko po namatay po ang pasyente na abad santos MTPB din ang trabaho dahil hindi po umabot sa PGH dahil sa magaling na MTPB na ito.”
The post has gone viral with over 138,00 views and 43,000 shares to date.
Chief of MTPB to conduct investigation
After the video has gone viral, Raffy Tulfo of Aksyon sa Tanghali reached out to Dennis Alcoreza, chief of MTPB. Alcorez admitted that he heard of the incident due to the viral video.
Alcorez confirmed that an investigation will be made and the enforcer is expected to appear in their office on Thursday. He said that if the enforcer was proven to have violated protocols, he can be removed immediately. He, however, clarified that the patient’s death was not because of the said traffic enforcer.
By Law
Under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, motorists are required to give way to ambulances or other emergency vehicles.
— Sally, The Summit Express
A Facebook post shared by Dan Russell Santos a video showing an altercation between an ambulance driver and a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) officer. According to Santos, the ambulance was on its way to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to bring a patient, another MTPB officer who had a heart attack.
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| Ambulance driver argues with traffic enforcer who refused to let them go | Screengrab: Facebook/Dan Russell Santos |
Since the ambulance was in a hurry, it tried to make its way around the traffic. The enforcer flagged down the ambulance and tried to give them a ticket for apparently causing traffic. The ambulance driver tried to argue that they have a patient who is in dire need of medical assistance but the enforcer didn't back down. The traffic enforcer insisted that the ambulance has no right to go ahead of everyone else.
The enforcer can be heard saying, “O kayo magtrapik! Porke’t ba ambulansya gusto niyo paliparin ko kayo agad?”
Santos also added the enforcer said, “Eh ano kung ambulansya hindi naman daw kelangan magmadali at padaanin ang mga nagmamadaling mga ambulansya.” The frustrated netizen also shared that the enforcer asked them to delete the video taken of the altercation and refused to let them go. Santos wrote, “Pinapabura din po ang video sa pinsan ko at ayaw syang paalisin at humaharang pa sa kalsada na daraanan ng ambulansya.”
The man on the video, a cousin of Santos can be heard pleading to the enforcer to allow them to pass, “Kapag may nangyari dito kuya isipin mo. Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa sitwasyon niya.”
The enforce replied, “Gusto mo mangyari yan sa akin? Wala kang respeto sakin eh. Binabastos mo ako eh. Kayo na mgtrapik. Hindi porke’t ambulansya ano kayo, mali-mali ang trapik.”
Sadly, the patient died and didn’t make it to PGH on time. Santos wrote, “Uulitin ko po namatay po ang pasyente na abad santos MTPB din ang trabaho dahil hindi po umabot sa PGH dahil sa magaling na MTPB na ito.”
The post has gone viral with over 138,00 views and 43,000 shares to date.
Chief of MTPB to conduct investigation
After the video has gone viral, Raffy Tulfo of Aksyon sa Tanghali reached out to Dennis Alcoreza, chief of MTPB. Alcorez admitted that he heard of the incident due to the viral video.
Alcorez confirmed that an investigation will be made and the enforcer is expected to appear in their office on Thursday. He said that if the enforcer was proven to have violated protocols, he can be removed immediately. He, however, clarified that the patient’s death was not because of the said traffic enforcer.
By Law
Under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, motorists are required to give way to ambulances or other emergency vehicles.
— Sally, The Summit Express
