LTO summons cop in viral 15-vehicle road mishap in Taguig City

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has meted a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of a police officer whose car plowed into several vehicles in Barangay Tuktukan, Taguig City on Monday night.

In a statement on Wednesday, the LTO issued a show cause order (SCO) against the cop and the registered owner of the vehicle that rammed 14 motorcycles and a sedan along Cayetano Boulevard.

The respondents were ordered to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on Monday, February 23 at 11 a.m. and submit a verified or sworn explanation of the incident.

They should explain why the driver’s license of the police officer should not be revoked for reckless driving and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The 90-day preventive suspension of his driver’s license will be in effect while the investigation is ongoing.

The vehicle was placed under an LTO alarm to prevent any transactions concerning it. The police officer was also ordered to surrender his driver’s license on the day of the hearing.

The respondents’ failure to attend and submit their explanation will be considered a waiver of their right to be heard and that the case will be resolved based on the evidence at hand.

“Hindi natin palalampasin ang anumang insidente na naglalagay sa kapahamakan ng ating mga mamamayan sa kalsada. Ang kaligtasan sa lansangan ay ating pangunahing priyoridad, at titiyakin nating mananagot ang sinumang lumalabag sa mga batas trapiko,” said LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(We will not allow incidents like this that endanger citizens on the road. Road safety is our main priority and we will ensure that people will be held accountable for violating traffic laws.)

“Hindi tayo mag-aatubiling ipatupad ang buong bigat ng batas upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at kaligtasan sa ating mga kalsada,” he added.

(We will not hesitate in enforcing the full force of the law to ensure order and safety in our streets.)

The agency cited initial reports from the Southern Police District (SPD) which said the vehicle suffered a brake malfunction.

The driver attempted to avoid hitting other vehicles but still ended up ramming 14 motorcycles and a sedan. The vehicle only stopped upon hitting an electric post. — JMA, GMA Integrated News