LTO summons motorists in viral multiple vehicle collision in Taguig-Makati

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the motorists allegedly involved in a multiple vehicle collision along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City last week.

In a statement, the LTO said its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) issued the SCOs and subpoenas to the individuals involved in the viral incident to compel them to appear in a hearing on May 4, 11 a.m.

“Hindi kailanman katanggap-tanggap ang ganitong uri ng asal sa kalsada. Ang anumang anyo ng karahasan, pananakot, at iresponsableng pagmamaneho ay mahigpit na pananagutin ng LTO,” LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said.

(This kind of behavior on the road will never be acceptable. Any form of violence, intimidation, and irresponsible driving will be severely sanctioned by the LTO.)

“Ang kalsada ay hindi lugar para sa init ng ulo – ito ay espasyo para sa disiplina, paggalang, at kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” he added.

(Roads are not places for hot-headedness. These are spaces for discipline, respect, and everyone’s safety.)

The incident in question happened at around 7 p.m. of April 24 along Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Barangay Magallanes, Makati City.

The LTO said the incident was initially a multiple vehicle collision that ended up in a road rage and hit-and-run scenario.

Citing a police report, one of the vehicles involved in the collision fled the scene, prompting other motorists to chase the fleeing vehicle, which the agency said posed a danger to other road users.

“Sa gitna ng insidente, isang indibidwal ang nakitang naglabas ng baril at inutusang bumaba ang drayber ng sasakyan, habang isa namang indibidwal ang nanira ng gulong nito – mga pangyayaring makikita sa kumalat na viral video,” the LTO said.

(Amid the incident, an individual was seen brandishing a gun and ordering the driver to step out of the vehicle, while another individual damaged the vehicle’s wheels – actions which were captured in the viral video.)

As part of the investigation, the LTO sent subpoenas to some individuals involved in the incident – including the person who allegedly damaged the wheel – to compel them to explain and shed light on the incident.

The agency sent an SCO to the driver of the vehicle that fled the scene and the individual who allegedly brandished the gun.

They should explain why they should not be held accountable for possible violations of traffic laws and regulations.

All of them should face a clarificatory hearing before the LTO’s IID on May 4, 11 a.m.

The LTO said their failure to attend the hearing will result in penalties as well, adding that it will continue to enforce laws against unruly motorists and anyone who endangers other road users.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the viral incident was not a robbery or road rage incident, but a multiple vehicle collision.

Police investigation showed that a sedan slowed down to make a left turn along Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City when it was rear-ended by a pickup vehicle.

The impact pushed the car into the opposite lane, where it collided with a motorcycle, whose rider sustained injuries.

Police said the pick-up vehicle fled the scene towards Makati City, where it was intercepted along Chino Roces Extension in Barangay Magallanes after colliding with another vehicle.

The parties directly involved have since reached an amicable settlement, although police have yet to identify the person who pulled out the firearm. — JMA, GMA News