THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it issued a 90-day preventive suspension the driver’s license of the driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) involved in a road rage incident at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
LTO chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said they have already identified the female motorist, who was likewise directed to submit a notarized explanation and appear in the ongoing investigation being conducted by LTO-Region 3.
“Personal kong tututukan ang kasong ito dahil ang ganitong asal ay hindi gawain ng isang matinong motorista,” he added.
In the Show Cause Order (SCO) issued by LTO Region 3 Regional Director Ronnie Montejo, the female motorist was a resident of Morong, Bataan while the SUV she was driving at the time of the incident, a Toyota Fortuner, was registered to a female resident of Makati City.
Both the registered owner and the driver of the SUV were directed to submit a notarized explanation seven days after they receive the SCO. They were also required to appear personally at the Conference Room of the LTO Region 3 office for a hearing on March 1.
“Non-filing or late submission of the answer is deemed an admission of the allegations,” the SCO read.
“Failure to appear at the above-stated time, day, and place shall be construed as a waiver to be heard and to contravene the above- cited accusation, leaving this Office to resolve the case administratively and accordingly based on the available records,” it added.
The LTO investigation on the SUV driver is in connection with the violation of Section 27 of Republic Act 4136 (Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle), which may also lead to the cancellation of the Certificate of Registration of the vehicle if found guilty.
Citing the initial result of the investigation, which is also based in coordination with the local police, the incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. on February 17 along Binictican Road within the vicinity of Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
A Hyundai Eon was reportedly traversing along Binictican when the driver of the Toyota Fortuner tried to overtake but was later forced to suddenly stop.
The driver then vented her anger on the Hyundai Eon, which was reportedly being driven by a male senior citizen by repeatedly hitting it using reverse gear while the passengers were still onboard.
The female motorist then sped off after the incident.
Mendoza said the initial action and the ongoing investigation by the LTO are separate from the investigation being conducted by the local police for a case of frustrated homicide.
“Pending investigation, the driver’s license of the SUV driver is preventively suspended for 90 days effective upon the receipt of this Show Cause Order while the Toyota Fortuner with MV File Number Z7N88 shall be put on the alarm list,” Mendoza said in citing the SCO.
“Magsilbing aral na naman muli itong kasong ito sa ating mga motorista na walang mabuting maidudulot ang galit lalo na habang magmaneho. Lagin nating tatandaan na ang driver’s license ay isang privilege mula sa gobyerno na maaring bawiin lalong-lalo na sa mga ganitong klaseng asal,” he added.