The Manila Metro Rail Transit - Line 3 (MRT-3) on Tuesday said it has reached out and apologized to the passenger who went viral after she recounted how her laptop sustained damage in one of its x-ray machines.

"The MRT-3 has already reached out to Ms. Columbres to apologize for the unfortunate incident and the manner by which the on-duty personnel failed to act with more compassion towards her," it said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

However, the MRT-3 management said it would not be liable for the incident.

It cited that its policy indicates that electronic gadgets such as laptops, tablets, and iPads, should be placed in a separate tray, that can be found beside the x-ray scanner.

MRT-3 management also noted that in both Northbound and Southbound entries, there is a tarpaulin signage that reminds passengers of the railway's policy on electronic gadgets and that it "will not be liable for any baggage losses or damages incurred while the x-ray scanner is in operation and also while the passenger is inside MRT-3 premises."

In a viral tweet on March 20, Allana Columbres, a 3rd-year college student, narrated how her laptop got damaged at MRT-3 Taft station amid a rush hour period.

She said she placed her belongings including her laptop in a flat position as it enter the X-ray machine. However, a passenger pushed his bag into the scanner which caused her backpack to be vertically upright.

However, MRT-3 management countered Columbres' claims, saying that closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed that her belongings were in "an upright position when she placed it on the conveyor belt."

"There was also an adequate space between her bag and that of the passenger who was next in line to her," it added.

Moreover, the MRT-3 management also said that the x-ray machine operator immediately stopped the scanner to prevent a further pile-up of passengers' items.