MMDA ‘supervisor’ fund-raised for fun run, boodle fight

Suspect’s fake MMDA ID card

Following the arrest of a fake traffic enforcer in Pateros, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Tim Orbos called on the public to report persons soliciting money for events supposedly organized by the MMDA.

“We have not authorized any employee to solicit money or any donation of any kind from the public. The public should be discerning and extra careful of such illicit activities especially when it involves valuables or even money changing hands,” Orbos said in a statement on Thursday.

Pateros policemen, together with MMDA action officer Nelson Magan, arrested Sonny Silverio on April 18 in Barangay San Roque following a complaint from former Councilor Joel Reyes that the suspect asked for P1,500 for a supposed MMDA fun run.

Silverio introduced himself as a supervisor of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office.

Reyes got in touch with Magan who verified that Silverio was not an MMDA employee. Magan set up an entrapment operation, leading to the suspect’s arrest. Recovered from Silverio were stickers bearing the MMDA logo and a fake MMDA ID card.

Magan said the office of Pateros Mayor Ike Ponce had alreceived complaints about Silverio’s modus operandi.

Marlene Quibe, a Taguig City businesswoman, also filed a complaint against the suspect on March 31 after he asked her for P6,600 for a boodle fight for MMDA employees.

Silverio, now detained at the Pateros municipal jail, faces charges of extortion and usurpation of authority. -Erika Sauler