The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has removed a task force head from field duty while investigating complaints over a viral video showing him apprehending a public school teacher driving without a helmet, officials said Thursday.

MMDA chairperson Romando Artes clarified Thursday that Gabriel Go, head of the Special Operations Group-Task Force Road Clearing, has not been suspended from his overall employment, but his field operations have been held in abeyance pending the investigation’s outcome.

“While he is not suspended from work, we have temporarily suspended his clearing operations,” Artes said.

The agency issued Go a show-cause order directing him to submit a written explanation following complaints from multiple civic and labor groups. The inquiry will determine whether Go faces administrative sanctions.

The controversy stems from a video posted on Go’s personal Facebook account showing him pulling over a male teacher for failing to wear a motorcycle helmet, a violation under Republic Act 10054, or the Motorcycle Helmet Act.

In the recording, Go is heard reprimanding the motorist: “You’re a teacher and you’re not wearing a helmet? How will we teach our students if that’s the case?”

The motorist apologized and asked Go not to upload the video online. Go responded that the teacher’s face was blurred and advised him not to identify himself publicly before issuing a citation ticket.

The video prompted widespread criticism on social media, with critics accusing Go of public shaming and misusing official enforcement operations for personal social media content.

Meantime, ACT Teachers Partylist urged the MMDA leadership to remove Go from his post, alleging he violated agency policies regarding social media usage during official duties.

“It is clear that Gabriel Go is filming and posting MMDA operations on his personal account for his own interest,” the group said, arguing the posts prioritize personal publicity over public service.