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LTO to probe video of child inside delivery box of moving motorcycle


The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is looking into the viral video showing a child inside the delivery box of a moving motorcycle, according to Vonne Aquino's report on Unang Balita on Thursday.

In the cellphone video uploaded by Jeric Cruz and taken on February 24 , a child's hand can be seen lifting the cover of the box onboard the motorcycle. Cruz said they were afraid to approach the rider.

The video footage went viral, but Cruz deleted it from his social media account following the request of the rider in the video.

According to Cruz, he posted the video to promote child safety awareness, adding that the situation is dangerous as the bag is insulated and there is no bracket to prevent it from falling.

The LTO, meanwhile, said it will investigate the incident.

"Immediately mag-iissue tayo ng show cause order po doon sa rider, sa may-ari ng motor," said Renan Militante, LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division officer-in-charge.

(Immediately, we will issue a show cause order to the rider, to the owner of the motorcycle.)

The LTO is also checking if the rider violated any law including Republic Act No. 10666 or Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015.

"Kung titingnan po natin, wala po siya sa tamang spesipikasyon ng pago-onboard ng isang bata, na dapat po 'yung feet ng bata ay nasa foot peg ng isang motorcycle. Pangalawa, naka-helmet po dapat ang bata at pangatlo po, dapat nakayakap 'yung bata sa nagmamaneho ng motorcycle," Militante said.

(All the specifications for carrying a child on a motorcycle were violated, like that child's feet should reach the foot peg of the motorcycle, the child should be wearing a helmet, and the child's arms should be wrapped around the driver of the motorcycle.)

GMA Integrated News tried to get a statement from the rider, but he declined to give one on camera. He, however, said he just  wanted to go home with his child who he said was sleepy at that time.

He also thought that the child was safe and more comfortable inside the utility box.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is planning to reach the child to check on his or her well-being.

"Gaya po nito na nakikita natin, na malinaw na malinaw na form ito ng child abuse. Kahit gaano po kaayos yung iniisip, na sabi nga natin in good faith," said Assistant Secretary and DSWD spokesperson Romel Lopez.

"Pero lumabas nagkaroon ng psychological maaari dahil baka natakot ang bata. Physical abuse, dahil maaaring naiiinitan ang bata ron, nahihilo. At siyempre yung neglect at cruelty, dahil hindi po normal na yung bata, yung ating pasahero ano o yung ating sakay sa motor ay ilalagay niyo sa utility box," he added.

(This is clearly a form of child abuse, even if you did it out of good faith. It could have a psychological effect on the child. This could also be physical abuse in the form of neglect and cruelty, because it is not normal to put a child inside a utility box on a moving motorcycle.)

GMA Integrated News was still exerting efforts to get a statement from the delivery rider's employer. BAP/KBK, GMA Integrated News

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