LAND Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on the registration of the truck involved in the tragic Katipunan Flyover accident in Quezon City, which claimed four lives and injured 25 others.
The investigation revealed that the Isuzu Wing Van Truck (Plate No. RJK719) had significant roadworthiness issues. “The truck’s registered engine number does not match the engine recorded by the North Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (NMVIC) team, confirming that the vehicle was unfit for operation,” said Mendoza, citing provisions of Republic Act 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as the basis for the penalty.
Further investigation showed the truck had been apprehended multiple times for overloading from 2021 to 2023. Due to these violations and the registration discrepancies, Mendoza also ordered the confiscation of the truck’s license plate.
A Show Cause Order (SCO) was issued to the truck’s driver, Richard Mangupag, and its registered owner—a company engaged in sugar manufacturing—immediately after the accident.
Mendoza personally led the first hearing, during which company representatives failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the truck’s roadworthiness, particularly the unit involved in the incident.
The accident occurred when the truck rammed multiple vehicles at the Katipunan Flyover. The driver claimed brake failure, which the LTO suspects was linked to overloading.
In addition to investigating the driver’s actions, the LTO is probing the company for hiring and deploying a potentially reckless driver and failing to ensure proper vehicle maintenance.
The LTO’s swift actions underline its commitment to holding accountable those who compromise public safety on the roads.