LAND Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II reminded motorists to keep their cool while on the road as he emphasized that road rage will only bring trouble.
Asec Mendoza issued the statement following a road rage incident in Antipolo City wherein a driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) was caught in the video firing at the motorcycle riders following a scuffle.
“Nakakalungkot ang ganitong pangyayari na hindi na natin binibigyan ng dignidad ang ating mga sarili, na talo pa natin ang mga bata na magsusuntukan agad sa gitna ng kalsada dahil sa bagay na puwede namang pag-pasensyahan,” said Asec Mendoza.
In the case of the SUV driver, it was reported—and it was seen in the viral video—that he accidentally shot his companion. The shooting incident resulted in the wounding of at least three other people.
A case of multiple frustrated homicide is now being readied against the 28-year old suspect, who is reportedly a businessman from Quezon City.
Based on the initial report and videos circulating on social media, it was seen that the SUV driver was engaged in a fistfight with at least two motorcycle riders prior to the incident.
Asec Mendoza said he already directed the LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident in order to find out what triggered the scuffle and eventually the shooting incident.
The result of the investigation, according to Asec Mendoza, will serve as the basis for the action of the LTO, including the possibility of driver’s license revocation.
In response, LTO-IID head Renante Melitante issued a show cause order (SCO) against the SUV driver and three motorcycle riders involved in the incident as part of the investigation.
In the SCO issued on the SUV driver and one of the motorcycle riders, it was stated that their driver’s license were suspended for 90 days pending the result of the investigation while the SUV and the motorcycle were placed under alarm.
“Muli ay nagpapa-alala tayo sa ating mga kababayang motorista na maging maingat, maging responsible at magbaon ng napakraming pasensya kapag nasa kalsada. Marami na tayong naparusahan dahil sa road rage at marami na ang nasira ang buhay dahil sa road rage,” said Asec Mendoza.
“Lagi nating tatandaan na may pamilya tayong dapat buhayin, at may pamilya tayong naghihintay na laging umaasa at nananalnagin na makauwi tayo ng maayos sa ating mga tahanan,” he added.
