PNP: 2 Manila cops relieved over unsafe pushcart loading

Two police officers in Manila have been relieved from their posts after a viral video showed pushcarts being dangerously loaded onto a police patrol vehicle, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

“Ngayong araw po, sila ay pinag-explain. At sila ay administratively relieved sa kanilang mga puwesto—ang patrolman at ang kanyang immediate supervisor sa Police Community Precinct Asuncion na isang police major,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said during a press briefing.

(Today, we asked them to explain. They were also administratively relieved from their posts—the patrolman and his immediate supervisor at Police Community Precinct Asuncion, who is a police major.)

A pre-charge investigation began on Monday, he said.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) earlier issued a show cause order (SCO) against a police officer and the driver of the patrol vehicle following the viral road incident that allegedly endangered motorists.

In a statement, the LTO said the vehicle was seen carrying two wooden pushcarts that extended beyond its dimensions while traveling along a public road.

Authorities said the load posed a risk to other motorists.

The vehicle was also reportedly operating without a license plate at the time of the incident, the LTO added.

The agency has directed the concerned individuals to appear before its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) and submit sworn statements explaining their side.

They may face administrative charges, including reckless driving, violation of regulations on the use of number plates, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, according to the LTO.

Pending the investigation, the driver has been ordered to surrender his license and is under a 90-day preventive suspension.—MCG, GMA News