2 LTO officials relieved for assaulting citizens —DOTr Sec. Dizon

Two officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region II have been relieved from service for physically assaulting two citizens, including one who is allegedly a minor, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.

Dizon said that these were LTO Region II assistant regional director Manuel Baricaua and official Charles Ursulum.

“Ako po ay sumulat na kay — sa Office of the President, kay Executive Secretary Bersamin, kay Chief Justice Bersamin, seeking for the permanent removal of the assistant regional director of Region II,” he said in a press conference.

(I have already written to the Office of the President, to Executive Secretary Bersamin, to Chief Justice Bersamin, seeking the permanent removal of the assistant regional director of Region II.)

The two were caught on video punching and kicking a man during an event in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, an act that Dizon deemed inexcusable.

“No excuse para dito. Tinanong ako, 'Sir, kailangan pa ba ng imbestigasyon?' Sabi ko, 'Anong imbestigasyon pa ba kailangan mo? Kitang-kita mo na nga sa video na tinadyakan ‘yung mga kababayan natin,'” Dizon said.

(No excuse for this. I was asked, 'Sir, do we still need an investigation? I said, what investigation do you still need? It’s clearly seen in the video that our fellow citizens were kicked.')

He later clarified that an investigation is ongoing, but that the video is enough to relieve the two officials from their posts.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the two were given an opportunity to explain their side.

“Sa utos ni Secretary Vince, we immediately executed a notice to explain. Sumagot na ho sila last week. So as far as due process is concerned, napagbigyan ho natin to explain their side,” Mendoza said.

(Under the orders of Secretary Vince, we immediately issued a notice to explain. They already responded last week. So as far as due process is concerned, we have given them the opportunity to explain their side.)

“Hindi naman na-refute ‘yung nangyari sa video so it’s deemed to be fact,” he later added.

(The incident shown in the video was not refuted, so it is deemed to be fact.)

Meanwhile, Dizon said the DOTr is reaching out to the victims to extend assistance in the possible filing of charges against Baricaua and Ursulum. —KG, GMA Integrated News