SUV owner in Mandaluyong hit-and-run again skips LTO hearing

The SUV driver involved in a hit-and-run incident in Mandaluyong City on Friday again snubbed a hearing set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

According to a tweet by Super Radyo dzBB’s Glen Juego, the LTO committee would go ahead and make its recommendation to the Office of Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Mandaluyong Police Deputy Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Mallorca said the suspect had not yet reached out to authorities.

“Since noong Monday, nagparamdam na po yan ng pagsuko, but until now wala pa rin po kaya wala rin po kaming alam or bulag din po kami kung talagang susurrender siya o hindi,” he said.

(Since Monday, the motorist had hinted that he wanted to surrender. But until now nothing has happened. So we don't know whether the motorist would surrender or not.)

Earlier, Galvante said if the SUV owner again failed to show up for the hearing on the LTO’s final show cause order, the chance for him to explain the incident would be considered waived.

The LTO would come up with a decision on the sanction that would be imposed against the SUV owner based on the evidence even without his cooperation, he added.

According to Galvante, the SUV owner may face suspension or revocation of his  driver's license over the incident. As a preventive action, the suspect's driver's license had been suspended for 90 days.

Mandaluyong City Police chief Police Colonel Gauvin Mel Unos on Tuesday said a complaint for frustrated murder and abandonment of one's victim had been filed against the SUV owner.

Unos added that they were just waiting for a warrant so they can arrest the suspect.

On Sunday, the said SUV hit a security guard who was directing traffic at the corner of Julia Vargas Avenue and St. Francis Street in Mandaluyong City.

The guard, identified as Christian Joseph Floralde, was trying to stop the SUV at the intersection. In dashcam footage, he was seen stopping a white SUV but was instead hit by the vehicle.

Instead of helping the fallen victim, the SUV driver ran over him and left the scene.

Floralde, who was treated in an intensive care unit of a hospital due to the incident, said he would file charges against the driver. — DVM, GMA News