SACKED. MMDA personnel Roel Gatos (left) is served the resolution terminating his contract of service with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at the San Jose del Monte Police Station in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Wednesday (April 29, 2020). MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago said that aside from sacking Gatos, the MMDA has reached out to his victims and offered a job to Gatos' live-in partner. (Photo courtesy of MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago)
MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday sacked one of its personnel for domestic abuse and offered a job to his partner, the victim of the abuse.
In a resolution approved by MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim on Tuesday, Roel Gatos, a contractual employee of the MMDA’s Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office, was terminated for committing “disgraceful and immoral acts, which are conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the MMDA”.
“It is most respectfully recommended that respondent Roel G. Gatos’ Contract of Service be terminated immediately upon his receipt of this resolution,” the resolution read.
In a message on Wednesday, MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago said Gatos is currently in jail at the San Jose del Monte Police Station in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
His victims—his live-in partner and her minor son—meanwhile, were given financial assistance, rice, and groceries from the MMDA on Wednesday.
“Magkakaroon na din ng trabaho si nanay dahil siya po ay magiging parte na ng programa ng MMDA (The mother will also have a job as she will become a member of the MMDA),” Pialago said.
Videos and photos of Gatos’ abuse against his victims went viral on Facebook, earning the ire of netizens and a complaint filed to the MMDA which resulted in his termination.
According to the resolution, the incident which led to Gatos’ incarceration and sacking occurred around midnight on Sunday (April 26) and was first brought to the attention of local village officers by a concerned citizen.
After checking on his spouse and her child, the local officials took Gatos to a local police station for further questioning.
“Moreover, a video posted by a certain “Jheng Yads” on 27 April 2020 at 9:39 a.m. on her Facebook account was seen and obtained, showing how [Gatos] perpetrated the violent and brutal acts against his helpless live-in partner and her minor son,” the resolution read. (PNA)
