MANILA, Philippines – Hinimok ni Senate President Francis Escudero nitong Lunes, Nobyembre 4, ang Land Transportation Office na pangalanan ang owner-user ng sasakyang may protocol plate number 7 na nahuling dumaraan sa EDSA Busway at sinubukan pang sagasaan ang isang enforcer.
Ang protocol plates na “7” ay para sa mga senador.
Sa ilalim ng Department of Transportation Joint Administrative Order No. 2024-001, inoobliga ng LTO Central Office na panatilihin ang updated registry ng protocol license plates, kung saan may access ang transportation secretary para rito.
“The driver violated the law,” ani Escudero, sabay-sabing ang aksyon ng drayber at ng pasahero nitong namakyu pa sa enforcer ay hindi katanggap-tanggap.
“I urge LTO to identify the owner-user of the vehicle and to inform the Senate as soon as possible,” dagdag ni Escudero.
Inaasahan ng Senate president na sinumang miyembro ng Senado na sangkot sa insidente ay “come forward and instruct the person/s driving the vehicle to responsibly face the consequences of their actions.”
Ang EDSA Busway ay para lamang sa mga akreditadong bus, emergency vehicles, at sasakyan ng Pangulo, Bise Presidente, Senate president, House speaker at chief justice ng Korte Suprema.
Pinuri naman ni Escudero ang traffic personel na sangkot “for keeping their composure and remaining courteous notwithstanding the circumstances that they encountered.”
Ayon sa pahayag ng Department of Transportation, napansin ni Secretariat Sarah Barnachea ng DOTr Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation ang puting SUV na may plakang 7 ang dumaan sa bus lane Linggo ng gabi.
“Secretariat Barnachea approached the vehicle to apprehend and verify the driver’s identity. However, the driver, instead of cooperating, attempted to run over Secretariat Barnachea and flee the scene,” ayon sa DOTr.
Rumesponde naman ang isa pang enforcer ng DOTR na tinukoy na si Secretariat Reyno, para tulungan si Barnachea.
Sa halip na makipagtulungan sa tauhan ng SAICT, “the driver continued to resist and eventually reversed the vehicle until reaching the open barrier, where they managed to escape,” DOTr said.
“Adding to the disrespectful behavior, a passenger in the back seat of the SUV raised their middle finger at the officers as they fled.”
Ipadadala sa LTO ang video ng insidente at maglalabas ng Show-Cause Order para sa drayber. RNT/JGC
