DOTr sacks SAICT special ops head for flagging ambulance using EDSA Busway

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Wednesday dismissed the head of Special Action Intelligence Committee for Transportation’s (SAICT) special operations group after he flagged an on-duty ambulance using the EDSA Busway. 

According to the memorandum, SAICT official Rayson dela Torre flagged an ambulance that was transporting a patient with stage 4 cancer for a medical check-up at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17. The official said that the busway was only for emergency situations.

For his part, the DOTr chief said that all on-duty ambulances, regardless of the condition of the patient, are allowed to use the busway. 

Lopez cited in the memorandum the department’s existing policy issued in November 2023, wherein among the allowed vehicles to use the busways are: “LTFRB-authorized buses for EDSA Busway Route, including buses with Special Permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA Busway route; On-duty Ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicles.” 

Also allowed to traverse the EDSA Busway are service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project. 

Hence, the DOTr chief ordered the SAICT official to explain within three days why no disciplinary action should be taken against him. Further, an investigation is ongoing while the official is relieved from duty. 

The DOTr also apologized to the patient’s family for the incident and vowed to take the necessary actions. 

“Furthermore, to ensure that similar incidents will not occur, the DOTr SAICT is hereby instructed to conduct a reorientation of personnel assigned in EDSA Busway on policies issued by the Department,” the memorandum read. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News