Marilyn Cahatol

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Special Operations Group Head Gabriel Go pays a courtesy call at the National Police Commission headquarters in Quezon City on April 3, 202. Go issued a public apology to Napolcom Commissioner Atty Rafael Calinisan regarding the viral clearing operations incident involving a PNP officer. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

20250403-mmda-gabriel go-public apology

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178418456363420250403-gabriel-go-public-apology-MT-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Special Operations Group Head Gabriel Go pays a courtesy call at the National Police Commission headquarters in Quezon City on April 3, 202. Go issued a public apology to Napolcom Commissioner Atty Rafael Calinisan regarding the viral clearing operations incident involving a PNP officer.<em> Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that Gabriel Go, head of its Special Operations Group - Task Force for Road Clearing is not suspended from service after its operation involving a teacher riding a motorcycle rider without a helmet.</p><p>In a chance interview in Pasay City on Thursday, July 16, MMDA Chairman Romando “Don” Artes explained Go has only been barred from the clearing operations of MMDA-SCOG pending the ongoing investigation.</p><p>“Empleyado pa rin siya, hindi siya suspended sa trabaho,” Artes told reporters.</p><p>(He is still our employee, he has not been suspended from work.)</p><p>Artes said the clearing operations of SCOG will continue without Go.</p><p>He said the agency will issue Go a show-cause order (SCO) to Go for him to explain what really happened during the operation.</p><p>“Tayo naman ay may guidelines regarding pagpo-post ng ating mga empleyado sa socmed particularly yung bawal mag-post ng demeaning o yung mga post na ipinapahiya yung ibang tao. So, titingnan po natin kung may paglabag po sa panuntunan na yan,” Artes said.</p><p>(We have guidelines on posting on social media, particularly that we are prohibited from posting demeaning content. We will see if these guidelines were violated.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/mmda-investigates-gabriel-go-amid-viral-apprehension-video-2326">MMDA investigates Gabriel Go amid viral apprehension video</a></div><p>The MMDA will also be communicating with the teacher who was apprehended for not wearing a helmet while driving. He will also be given a chance to air his side.</p><p>Artes also justified the posting of videos of its operation, saying they show that the MMDA is addressing complaints received through hotline 8888.</p><p>Aside from educating the public, according to Artes, taking videos of its personnel is also for their protection if there are complaints of irregularities during its operations.</p><p>Under the guidelines of MMDA, Artes said, taking pictures or videos during the clearing operation of its personnel is allowed and posting it on personal social media accounts of its employees are not also prohibited so long as they abide by its rules.</p><p>Artes said, MMDA allows Go to post videos on his personal account because of its reach.</p><p>“Pag ganyan, lalo na don sa hindi official page…nire-required ko po na i-blur yung footage nung tao para hindi po siya makilala, hindi siya ma-bash personally, at ganon din po maproteksyunan yung kanyang privacy,” Artes added.</p><p>(In those cases, especially if not on the official page, we require that the footage is blurred so they will not be identified, will not be bashed and to protect their privacy.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;NO CONSENT NEEDED IN TAKING VIDEOS IN PUBLIC&#x27;</strong></div><p>As a lawyer and MMDA chairman, Artes said, they reviewed the law regarding privacy of those in public places and he believes that there’s no need for consent when taking videos. </p><p>He said MMDA will still consult with the National Privacy Commission.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/npc-reminder-taking-uploading-content-without-consent-may-violate-privacy-1805">NPC reminder: Taking, uploading content without consent may violate privacy</a></div><p>“And again, it&#x27;s a legitimate government operation…ginagamit nga namin yang mga footage na yan (We really do use that footage),” Artes added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o1Kz2zHpNqk?si=-FPRBxF5UgsC_T4X" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that Gabriel Go, head of its Special Operations Group - Task Force for Road Clearing is not suspended from service after its operation involving a teacher riding a motorcycle rider without a helmet.</p>

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that Gabriel Go, head of its Special Operations Group - Task Force for Road Clearing is not suspended from service after its operation involving a teacher riding a motorcycle rider without a helmet.

MMDA’s Gabriel Go barred from joining clearing ops pending investigation

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

MMDA’s Gabriel Go barred from joining clearing ops pending investigation

Johnson Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 16, 2026 03:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Gabriel Go

Romando Artes

MMDA

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.