LTO suspends driver's license of QC cop in viral hit-and-run on C5

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has meted a preventive suspension on the driver’s license of a Quezon City police officer who went viral for striking a motorcycle rider along C5 Road.

In a statement, the LTO said it issued a show cause order (SCO) against the law enforcer – a police staff sergeant assigned to the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPDI) Mobile Force Battalion.

The policeman was arrested following the viral incident and is now facing criminal and administrative investigations.

The LTO cited the viral video which showed the police officer – who was on his motorcycle – as he pushed off another rider off his own motorcycle.

This caused the victim to fall off his motorcycle and sustain injuries, while his motorcycle was damaged.

The LTO placed the policeman’s motorcycle under an LTO alarm while his driver’s license was preventively suspended for 90 days.

The policeman should surrender his driver’s license at a hearing set by the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on May 18 at 11 a.m.

The respondent should submit a sworn explanation justifying why he should not be held liable for charges of “reckless driving, duty of the driver in case of an accident, use of number plates, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.”

“Walang puwang sa lansangan ang anumang uri ng karahasan, panggigipit, o iresponsableng pagmamaneho kahit sino pa ang sangkot. Hindi exempted ang sinuman sa batas. Ang mandato natin ay protektahan ang publiko at tiyaking ligtas ang ating mga kalsada para sa lahat,” said LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(Any form of violence, intimidation, or irresponsible driving has no space on our streets, regardless of who is involved. No one is exempted from the law. Our mandate is to protect the public and ensure that our streets are safe for everyone.)

The LTO also reminded the public to be responsible, calm, and disciplined while driving on the country’s roads to ensure everyone’s safety.

It added that it will strictly enforce traffic rules against reckless driving and other violations that endanger public safety. — JMA, GMA News