Bat-wielding motorist in Bacoor, Cavite gets 90 days' suspension

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of an SUV driver who was caught on video allegedly threatening a motorcycle rider with a baseball bat during a road rage incident in Bacoor, Cavite.

According to Mark Salazar’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” tensions escalated along Molino Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The rider allegedly made a sudden stop in a pedestrian lane as people were crossing the street, this move prompted the SUV behind him to honk angrily.

What started as a minor traffic delay escalated into a confrontation, with both drivers exchanging insults and heated words before the situation turned violent.

“Doon sa video, makikita naman nating marami siyang paglabag na ginawa. Bakit kasi yung SUV driver kita naman sa video na masyadong mabilis ang dating niya, hindi niya nakontrol e may tricycle sa kaliwa kumabig siya sa kaliwang lane, yung motorsiklo biglang huminto dahil may tatawid, muntik niya tamaan, nataranta siya hanggang mauwi sila sa road rage, nagbabaan, nag-away, naglabas ng bat,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(In the video, we can see that he committed several violations. The SUV driver was clearly coming in too fast, and he was not able to control the vehicle. There was a tricycle on the left, he swerved to the left lane, and the motorcycle suddenly stopped because someone was crossing. He almost hit it, panicked, and it escalated into a road rage incident where they both got out of their vehicles, got into an argument, and a bat was drawn.)

He added that the SUV driver’s license may still be revoked.

Lacanilao also reminded motorists to avoid confrontation on the road and report it instead to the police.

“Humingi na lang ng paumanhin. Ilang minuto lang ‘yan, pabayaan mo na," said Lacanilao.

(Just apologize instead; It’s only a few minutes; just let it go.)

SUV NLEX counterflow

The LTO has also suspended the driver’s license of an SUV driver who made a U-turn and counterflowed at the Bocaue Toll Barrier along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Monday afternoon.

The driver has also been issued a show cause order and may face possible license revocation. His vehicle is also placed under alarm as the investigation is ongoing.

“Pwede po kasi expressway yun e, yung simpleng swerving change of lane napupunta sa reckless driving. How much more yung nag-U-turn sa expressway?" Lacanilao said.

(It’s an expressway, so even a simple swerving or lane change can already be considered reckless driving. How much more if someone makes a U-turn on the expressway?) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA News