LTO summons van driver for using illegal blinkers, posing as LTO employee

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the driver of a van who was shown in a viral video while allegedly using unauthorized blinkers and even posing as an LTO employee.

In a statement, the LTO said it has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver and registered owner of the van, directing them to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division at 10 a.m. of June 23.

This was over the driver’s alleged improper turning maneuver and use of signal lights, alleged use of unauthorized blinkers, and for posing as an employee of the agency.

Upon verification, authorities found out that the driver is not connected to the LTO and is not authorized to use its name or to represent the agency.

The identification card that the driver used was not official and was never issued by the agency.

“Ang naturang gawain ay nagdudulot ng kalituhan sa publiko at maaaring magbunga ng kaukulang pananagutan dahil sa pagpapanggap at hindi awtorisadong paggamit ng pangalan at pagkakakilanlan ng ahensya,” the LTO said.

(This will cause confusion among the public and may result in accountability for the pretension and for the unauthorized use of the name of the agency.)

The driver and registered owner of the van were ordered to submit a sworn explanation over charges of reckless driving and unauthorized/unlawful use of blinkers.

The driver should also explain why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked due to charges of being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

In the meantime, the driver’s license was preventively suspended for 90 days while the van was placed under an LTO alarm.

“Ang paggamit ng illegal blinking lights at ang pagpapanggap bilang kawani ng LTO ay hindi lamang paglabag sa batas kundi isang seryosong pag-abuso na maaaring magdulot ng kalituhan at maling impresyon sa publiko,” said LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(Using illegal blinking lights and pretending to be an employee of the LTO is not just a violation of the law, but a serious abuse that may cause confusion and false impressions among the public.)

“Hindi namin kukunsintihin ang ganitong uri ng gawain at sisiguraduhin naming mananagot ang sinumang mapatutunayang lumalabag sa batas at mga regulasyon,” he added.

(We will not condone these actions and we will make sure that anyone found to have violated the law and regulations are held accountable.) — JMA, GMA News