In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize road safety, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), under the guidance of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, has preventively suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of a police sergeant involved in a viral road rage incident in Ermita, Manila.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, stated that a Show Cause Order (SCO) has already been issued to the police officer, requiring him to submit a written explanation as to why his license should not be permanently revoked.
“Isa na naman ito sa patunay na wala naman magandang idudulot ang init ng ulo sa kalsada,” Asec. Mendoza remarked, stressing the dangers of road rage.
According to the LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division’s initial findings, the incident occurred on May 12 along F. Manalo Street, Barangay 897, Sta. Ana, Manila. The police officer, reportedly assigned to a polling center as part of election security operations, was not wearing a standard motorcycle helmet at the time of the altercation.
The confrontation escalated when the civilian motorist allegedly attempted to assault the officer, prompting the latter to draw his firearm.
The SCO, signed by LTO-IID Chief Renante Melitante, cited the following violations:
- Failure to wear a motorcycle helmet (Section 3, R.A. 10054)
- Obstruction of traffic (Section 54, R.A. 4136)
- Improper person to operate a motor vehicle (Section 27(a), R.A. 4136)
The police sergeant has been instructed to surrender his driver’s license on or before the scheduled hearing on May 21.
“Failure to appear and submit the written comments/explanations as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” the SCO warned.