By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao personally apprehended the driver of a Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) taxi who ran away from an enforcer following a reckless driving incident along Panay Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday, Lacanilao said the taxi driver was issued a temporary operator’s permit (TOP), also called a traffic ticket, for reckless driving and disregarding traffic signs.
The driver has been summoned to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at the agency’s Central Office on May 14 to explain why he should not face administrative charges for the said violations in addition to other charges related to “Signals on Starting, Stopping, or Turning” and “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.”
In addition, the owner and operator of the GSM taxi was summoned to appear in the hearing and explain why he or she should not be liable for “employing a reckless, insolent, discourteous, or arrogant driver,” and to bring the Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of the vehicle and its valid franchise (Certificate of Public Convenience).
“Simpleng paglabag sa batas trapiko ay mas lalo pang lumalala kapag pinili nilang tumakas at balewalain ang mga awtoridad. Sisiguraduhin nating mananagot ang sinumang maglalagay sa alanganin sa kaligtasan ng publiko (A simple traffic violation gets worse when you choose to escape authorities. We’ll make sure to hold responsible all who endanger the public),” Lacanilao said.
According to an initial report, the GSM taxi narrowly missed an LTO mobile patrol when it changed lanes without a signal light.
When an enforcer tried to stop it for the violation, the GSM taxi driver attempted to escape but was chased down by the LTO.
Meanwhile, the LTO also suspended the license and summoned the driver of a Toyota Vios involved in a gas-and-run incident in Quezon City on Wednesday.
In a separate statement, Lacanilao said his license will be temporarily suspended for 90 days, in addition to the vehicle being placed on alarm, while the investigation is ongoing.
Both the driver and the registered owner of the car are facing the administrative charge “improper person to operate a motor vehicle” with the LTO, aside from possible criminal charges.
“Ang ganitong uri ng insidente ay dapat magsilbing paalala sa lahat na may kaukulang pananagutan ang mga motoristang sangkot sa anumang iresponsable at hindi disiplinadong kilos (This incident should serve as a reminder to all that there are repercussions for motorists that participate in irresponsible or undisciplined actions),” Lacanilao said.
Both individuals have been summoned to appear before the LTO to explain why they should not be charged.
Failure to appear at the hearing will be considered a waiver of their right to be heard, and the LTO will proceed with the investigation based on available evidence.
Likewise, the LTO has summoned the drivers and witnesses to a brawl between a bus conductor and several motorcycle riders along Quirino Highway in Quezon City on Monday that went viral on social media.
Lacanilao said show cause orders were sent to two drivers, and they were asked to explain why they should not be administratively charged for being an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.”
On Tuesday, the Quezon City Police District identified the two suspects as John Lyndon Barrosa, 27, and John Mark Longgaquit, 23, both residents of Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City.
According to the QCPD, the incident stemmed from the reckless swerving of two motorcycles driven by the two suspects along the bus lane, which sparked the road rage incident.
Aside from the LTO raps, the suspects are facing criminal charges, such as “serious physical injuries,” before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. (PNA)
