The Department of Transportation reported that it is actively pursuing action against the driver of a white SUV with plate number 7, who fled after attempting to run over an enforcer at the Guadalupe Busway station on Sunday evening.
"Tine-trace namin ngayon at siguro ngayong umaga ay malalaman natin sa LTO. Ma-trace natin ‘yung plaka at tyaka ‘yung model ng sasakyan para ma-trace ng LTO," Executive Assistant to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Jonathan Gesmundo said in an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Monday.
"Kung malalaman namin, mabibigyan ‘yan ng show cause order para magpaliwanag sa LTO," he added.
Gesmundo stated that based on the vehicle's license plate, it is still unclear whether a senator was actually in the vehicle. However, the person's identity inside the car during the incident will be revealed once the vehicle's ownership is traced.
If the investigation shows that the senator was not present in the vehicle during the incident, they will reach out to the staff to inquire about who used the vehicle at that time.
Gesmundo further noted that the agency is distressed by the fact that their enforcer was nearly injured, emphasizing that the enforcers are merely performing their duties.
The driver likely fled because they were aware that passing through the busway is prohibited.
"Muntik na nga [sagasaan ‘yung traffic enforcer]. Humarang ‘yung enforcer at pinipilit na makatakas ‘yung driver kaya’y umatras na lang para takasan. Ang masama pa nga non ay ‘yung sakay na pasahero ay nag-dirty finger pa nga sa enforcer," said Gesmundo.
According to Gesmundo, many high-profile vehicle owners who have violated busway regulations have already been penalized and ticketed.
He cited a cabinet secretary as an example, who was apprehended for passing through the busway. He mentioned that the official wrote to DOTr Secretary Bautista to congratulate the enforcers for effectively enforcing the rules.
On Sunday night, an enforcer observed an SUV illegally driving through the bus lane. When the enforcer approached the vehicle to apprehend the driver and verify their identity, the driver instead attempted to run over the enforcer and fled the scene.
Another enforcer witnessed the driver’s violation and assisted the first enforcer. Despite their attempts to approach the driver politely and fulfill their duties, the driver continued to resist, ultimately reversing the vehicle until reaching an open barrier, where they successfully escaped.
