The Land Transportation Office (LTO) imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver's license of the motorist involved in the viral incident, where a traffic enforcer jumped on the hood of an SUV to stop the driver from fleeing the scene of a road incident in Taguig City.
On Friday, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II stated that the 90-day preventive suspension of the driver’s license is part of the ongoing investigation, prompted by a complaint letter forwarded by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairperson Atty. Romando Artes.
“Hindi lang po preventive suspension, nilagay na rin po natin sa alarma ang pulang Hyundai Stargazer na may plakang NHF588 habang isinasagawa ang ating imbestigasyon tungkol dito,” Mendoza said.
A Show Cause Order (SCO) was issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and to her husband who was then driving the car when the road incident happened.
According to the police investigation, the SUV sideswiped a motorcycle on the East Service Road near Nichols PNR Station in Taguig City.
After being struck, the motorcycle moved in front of the SUV to prevent the driver from fleeing. The SUV then hit the motorcycle again before driving away.
A nearby MMDA traffic enforcer witnessed the incident and tried to stop the SUV, but the driver ignored him and fled. The enforcer chased and intercepted the SUV, but the driver sped off, dragging the enforcer, who was on the hood of the vehicle.
“This is unacceptable. Clearly, there are serious discipline and behavior problems on the part of the driver,” said Mendoza.
In the SCO signed by Francis Ray Almora, LTO Law Enforcement Service Director, both the vehicle's registered owner and driver are required to appear at the LTO Central Office on September 3 with a notarized explanation for why they should not be penalized.
The driver faces charges under Republic Act No. 4136, including reckless driving, failure to fulfill accident-related duties, and operating a motor vehicle improperly.
The driver of the SUV was ordered to surrender the driver's license on or before the scheduled hearing on September 3.
On Thursday, the MMDA filed a complaint against the SUV driver despite his appearance and apology for the incident. The MMDA decided to proceed with legal action against him.
