THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to the registered owner and driver of a truck involved in a fatal road accident in Quezon City on Thursday, December 5. The incident along Katipunan Avenue flyover in Barangay Loyola Heights left at least four people dead and injured more than 30 others.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, stated that the SCO is part of the agency’s investigation into the multiple-vehicle collision involving an Isuzu Wing Van Truck with Plate No. RJK-719, driven by Richard R. Mangupag. According to the police report submitted to the LTO-Law Enforcement Service (LES), the truck rammed into several vehicles and motorcycles.
“Part of our investigation is to determine if there were lapses on the part of the registered owner, particularly in ensuring roadworthiness and driver suitability,” said Asec. Mendoza.
“Apat ang namatay dito at mahigit 25 ang nasugatan. Ang ating imbestigasyon ay upang matiyak na mabibigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng insidenteng ito,” he added.
Show Cause Order Details
In the SCO signed by LTO-LES Director Eduardo de Guzman, the registered owner was directed to submit a written explanation addressing why they should not be sanctioned for “Employing Reckless Driver,” a violation under Paragraph 7 Title IV of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.
Similarly, the driver, Mangupag, was instructed to provide a written explanation regarding charges for reckless driving under Section 48 of R.A. 4136. He was also asked to justify why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being deemed an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.”
Immediate Actions
Assec. Mendoza revealed that Mangupag’s driving privileges were preventively suspended for 90 days, and he was ordered to surrender his driver’s license by December 10, the date of the first hearing. Additionally, the vehicle’s license plate and Mangupag’s driver’s license have been flagged, preventing any transactions while the investigation is ongoing.
“Failure to appear and submit the required written explanations will be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, and the case will be resolved based on the available evidence,” the SCO warned.
The LTO reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and justice for the victims of this tragic incident.