LTO investigates Subic road rage incident

A CRIME | Screengrab of a viral video by a certain “Ulo ng Apo” shows a Toyota Fortuner turn around after repeatedly ramming a black Hyundai Eon.

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered an investigation to identify and hold responsible the driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) involved in a road rage incident caught on video at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales over the weekend.

In a statement on Sunday, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said he had instructed the LTO’s regional director in Central Luzon to issue a show cause order to the registered owner of the black Toyota Fortuner with conduction sticker Z7N788.

“With the information relayed by the witnesses, we will be able to immediately initiate actions against the registered owner and the driver of this vehicle,” Mendoza said.

In a viral video posted on Facebook, the Fortuner was seen repeatedly ramming a black Hyundai Eon compact car at a roadside outside the Subic International Golf Club along Binictican Road.

At one point during the one-minute, 36-second video, the Fortuner was seen trying to chase the passengers of the Eon — a young woman and an elderly man walking with a cane — even when they were already on the side of the road.

The Fortuner then sped away from the scene. The incident occurred on Feb. 16.

Photos provided by the police showed that the smaller car had sustained major damage, including smashed headlights, a broken tire, and a crumpled passenger door.

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‘Unacceptable’ behavior

While it was still “not immediately clear” what happened before the video recording, Mendoza said: “It is clear in the video that the driver’s behavior, where they fled after hitting another vehicle, is unacceptable and irresponsible.”

The LTO chief also ordered an alarm placed on the Fortuner to alert authorities regarding its whereabouts.

Mendoza also directed the LTO regional office to reach out to the family of the victims as part of the conduct of the investigation.

Col. Palmer Tria, the Bataan police provincial director, on Sunday also ordered the Morong police to conduct a “thorough investigation to identify the underlying circumstances behind the incident.”

“The incident underscores the importance of all motorists being responsible and accountable for their actions on the road. It is crucial to follow traffic laws and regulations and to prioritize the safety and well-being of all road users,” he said.

The LTO is pushing for legislation to impose harsher penalties on road rage incidents.

Last year, Mendoza said the LTO was doing a study on the definition of road rage and sanctions that could be imposed on such behavior, especially in cases not resulting in death or injury.

Anti-road rage bill

In September last year, ACT-CIS party list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Edvic Yap, and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo filed the proposed Anti-Road Rage Act.

The bill seeks to authorize the government to prosecute road rage suspects on behalf of victims, “in cases where victims are unable or unwilling to pursue legal action due to fear, intimidation, or other reasons.”

READ: LTO to probe an apparent road rage in Subic

Under the bill, any person who acts as the aggressor in road rage incidents shall be imprisoned for up to one year and be fined at P100,000 at most, if there is no injury or death.

Should it result in death, a penalty of six to 12 years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from P250,000 to P500,000, on top of all other damages, shall be imposed on the violator.

If the offending party in road rage is a government employee, the person shall be perpetually disqualified from government service. The driver’s license of the violator shall also be revoked and made ineligible for renewal for five years.