By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) was forced to stop operations for about an hour when a popcorn vendor climbed the train’s steel bridge connecting the Guadalupe and Bonifacio stations yesterday morning, causing a commotion that necessitated a temporary shutdown of train service.
The Makati Rescue Team identified the vendor as Christopher Abdullah, 30, a resident of Ilaya, Barangka, Mandaluyong City.
Makati Rescue assistant leader Roy Gordon de la Cruz said Abdullah scaled the bridge at about 9:40 a.m. to protest against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its sidewalk clearing operations.
De la Cruz said Abdullah was riled at the MMDA for confiscating his merchandise and destroying all of his equipment which he valued at P4,000. He said Abdullah told him that he had secured a business permit in Makati City to be able to sell his goods in Guadalupe. But Abdullah said every time he transfers to Mandaluyong, the MMDA would swoop down on his merchandise.
Rescuers spent 30 minutes to convince Abdullah to get down and another 30 minutes to secure the whole bridge.
Abdullah was brought to the Philippine National Red Cross chapter which referred him to the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) in Malugay Street.
The OsMak medical staff urged authorities to bring Abdullah to the National Institute of Mental Health in Mandaluyong City.
Rescuers said they suspect the vendor scaled the billboards scaffolding in Mandaluyong near the bridge and then jumped into the train system’s steel bridge. De la Cruz said the bridge from the Makati side is surrounded by high tension wires.
|
