Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30)— he Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday suspended the license of the driver of the white SUV involved in a viral road rage video in Taguig City and ordered him to explain why he should not be penalized.
In the Nov. 24 video, the driver of the white Ford Explorer was seen stopping and confronting a truck driver in the middle of C-5 road in Taguig City.
He was videographed while screaming and demanding that the truck driver hand him his license.
As a result, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza said they have suspended for 90 days the registration of the white vehicle and the license of its driver pending investigation.
The driver was being held accountable for reckless driving, obstruction of traffic and improper person to operate a motor vehicle in violation of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
He was ordered to appear in the LTO-National Capital Region office on Dec. 4.
The LTO also said that the show cause order asked the driver to submit a “notarized written explanation as to why he should not be penalized for violating at least three traffic rules.”
“Personal kong nakita ang video at nakita natin ang mga violations na nagawa ng SUV driver,” Mendoza said in a statement. “Kaya agad kong inatasan ang LTO-NCR na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon tungkol dito.”
[Translation: I personally watched the video and saw the violations committed by the SUV driver. That’s why I immediately ordered the LTO-NCR to conduct an investigation.]
The Philippine National Police (PNP) made it clear that only authorized personnel can ask a motorist to hand over their license, and the suspect in the incident could be charged for usurpation of authority should the victim decide to file a complaint.
PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo reminded the public to keep a cool head while on the road.
“Maging mahinahon po tayo kapag tayo po ay nagmamaneho at nagbibiyahe po sa daan. Hindi talaga maiiwasan na kahit napaka-ingat natin sa pagda-drive, mayro’n po talaga diyan na hindi maganda ‘yung pagmamaneho,” she said.
[Translation: Let us be calm when we are driving or traveling. Situations like this can’t always be avoided no matter how careful we are, there will be those who won’t follow rules.]
CNN Philippines’ Daniza Fernandez contributed to this story.
