By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the driver and registered owner of a utility vehicle that struck and killed an elderly pedestrian in a hit-and-run incident in Calamba City, Laguna.
In a statement on Wednesday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered the issuance of the SCO after a viral video of the incident reached the agency and was verified by its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID).
“Hindi ko kailanman palalampasin ang anumang iresponsableng pagmamaneho na naglalagay sa panganib sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Sisiguraduhin kong mananagot ang drayber na sangkot sa insidenteng ito at ang sinumang mapatunayang lumabag sa batas trapiko (I will never let any act of reckless driving that endangers the lives of our fellow Filipinos go unpunished. I will ensure that the driver involved in this incident and anyone found to have violated traffic laws will be held accountable),” Lacanilao said.
The driver and registered owner have been ordered to appear before the IID and submit sworn statements explaining why they should not be held liable for reckless driving, and why the driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
The driver’s license has been placed under a 90-day preventive suspension pending the investigation, and the driver has been ordered to surrender it to the IID.
The utility vehicle has likewise been placed under alarm status, barring it from any LTO transactions, including registration renewal, until the case is resolved.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas upang mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga kalsada para sa lahat (We will continue to strengthen the strict enforcement of the law to keep our roads safe for everyone),” Lacanilao said.
Based on the video, an elderly pedestrian was crossing the road when the utility vehicle, traveling at high speed, struck the victim with force and threw the victim off the ground.
The victim sustained severe injuries and later died.
The incident occurred on July 7, at around 4 a.m., along the National Highway in Barangay Makiling, Calamba City. (PNA)
