By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said it is looking to file administrative cases against a member of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Highway Patrol Group (HPG) who shoved a rider off his motorcycle, causing a traffic incident.
In a statement, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, said the incident, which was caught on video and went viral on social media, showed irresponsible and dangerous behavior on the road, especially for a member of the HPG.
“Walang puwang sa lansangan ang anumang uri ng karahasan, panggigipit, o iresponsableng pagmamaneho kahit sino pa ang sangkot. Hindi exempted ang sinuman sa batas (There is no space on our roads for any form of violence, road bullying, or irresponsible driving for anyone. No one is exempted from the law),” Lacanilao said.
In response, the LTO issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the HPG officer and asked him to submit an explanation as to why he should not face administrative charges.
These include “Reckless Driving, Duty of Driver in Case of an Accident, Use of Number Plates, and Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.”
The officer was ordered to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at 11 a.m. on May 18 as part of an investigation into the incident.
The license of the officer has been preventively suspended for 90 days, and his motorcycle was placed on alarm to prevent any transactions with the LTO.
The LTO reminded the public to maintain responsibility, be calm, and disciplined when driving.
“Mananatili [tayong] mahigpit sa pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko bilang bahagi ng mas pinaigting na kampanya laban sa reckless driving at iba pang paglabag na naglalagay sa panganib sa kaligtasan ng publiko (The agency assures that we will remain vigilant in upholding traffic laws as part of our intensified campaign against reckless driving and other violations that endanger the safety of the public),” he said.
On the other hand, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced the arrest of the QCPD HPG officer in the incident.
The arrested officer is currently undergoing a medical checkup and will face both administrative and criminal cases.
In the video uploaded on Facebook by Vincent Cayanes, a motorcycle rider can be seen driving along a road when an HPG officer sped from behind him and pushed the rider, causing him to fall. (PNA)
