MMDA suspends towing company linked to scam

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has ordered the indefinite suspension of the towing company whose personnel were accused of forcibly taking the keys to a vehicle, towing it illegally and extorting money from its owner.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the MMDA said that pending the results of its investigation, all tow trucks of Arcson Towing Services were suspended indefinitely.

MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos said this was in response to the complaint posted by Kristen Ann Uy Baron on Facebook who said that two men wearing MMDA shirts took her car on Tuesday morning at Savemore Broadway in Quezon City.

Baron said that the men took the keys from her driver as she was inside Savemore, claiming it was illegally parked. She said that she ran after her car which was being driven by one of the men wearing an MMDA shirt.

“I was told that [the car] was going to be impounded at Ultra unless we can come to a settlement [of P4,000],” she said, adding that when she asked for their names, they refused.

Baron claimed that she and her driver were made to get into her car. She added that they were already in the Ortigas area when her car was attached to a tow truck with plate number AVA-4494.

She added that she had to call her husband for help and it was only after a long argument that the men decided to release their vehicle without any money.

The victim said that she hoped that the men behind this would be held responsible for the experience which left her “emotionally and physically drained.” –Maricar B. Brizuela