LTO summons 2 cops caught without helmets while riding motorcycles

Two policemen are in hot water with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after viral photos showed them not wearing protective helmets while riding their respective motorcycles.

In a statement on Sunday, the LTO said it has issued show cause orders (SCOs) against the viral motorcycle riders, who were photographed wearing police uniforms.

In one photo, a policeman riding on the back of a motorcycle was seen without any protective motorcycle helmet on.

The other photo showed another policeman driving a motorcycle without any helmet on, as well.

The LTO separately summoned them to appear at the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on June 8, 1 p.m. and submit a verified explanation.

They should explain why they should not be held accountable for administrative charges related to the mandatory use of motorcycle helmets or failure to wear standard protective motorcycle helmet, and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

They were both told to surrender their driver’s licenses, which were placed under preventive suspension for 90 days.

Their motorcycles were also placed under an LTO alarm.

“Ang batas-trapiko ay para sa lahat. Uniformed personnel man, kawani ng gobyerno, o ordinaryong mamamayan, iisa lamang ang ating pamantayan pagdating sa kaligtasan sa kalsada. Walang exemption sa pagsusuot ng helmet dahil ang layunin nito ay protektahan ang buhay ng bawat rider at angkas,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(Traffic lwas are for all. May it be uniformed personnel, government employees, or ordinary citizens, we only have one standard when it comes to road safety. There are no exemptions to wearing helmets because it is aimed at protecting the life of each rider and back rider.)

Lacanilao reminded the public that they should wear standard protective motorcycle helmets the moment that they ride a motorcycle as a driver or rider, and to follow other traffic regulations.

“Hindi ginawa ang batas para pahirapan ang publiko. Nariyan ito upang protektahan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino sa kalsada. Ang simpleng pagsunod sa batas ay maaaring maging dahilan upang makauwi kayo nang ligtas sa inyong pamilya,” he added.

(Laws were not created to be a burden to the public. They are there to protect the life of every Filipino on the road. Following the law may be the reason that you are able to return to your family safely.) — JMA, GMA News