Escudero to LTO: Go after erring driver, owner of SUV with ‘7’ plate

A vehicle bearing a plate number 7 allegedly attempted to run over a traffic enforcer in Makati City Sunday evening. (Screengrab / DOTr)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday asked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday to identify and inform the Senate of the driver and owner / passenger of the white sports utility vehicle (SUV) bearing a plate number 7 that allegedly attempted to run over a lady traffic enforcer in Makati City.

Plate number 7 is a protocol plate assigned to senators.

Escudero was reacting to an incident reported by the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr- SAICT) that the driver of then vehicle tried to run over a traffic over after being accosted for using the Edsa bus lane at around 6:58 p.m. on Sunday in Guadalupe, Makati City.

“The driver violated the law. The actions of the driver [and] passenger are unacceptable,” said Escudero in a statement. 

“I urge [the] LTO to identify the owner-user of the vehicle and to inform the Senate as soon as possible,” added.

Escudero said he expects the owner, if he is indeed an upper chamber member, to “come forward and instruct” the person/s driving the vehicle to face the consequences. 

Escudero wants persons involved to “surrender and present themselves to the authorities accordingly.”

Meanwhile, he commended the enforcers involved for keeping their composure and remaining courteous regardless of the actions of the driver and the SUV passenger.

DOTr-SAICT earlier claimed that a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle “raised a middle finger” at the officers as they fled.                                         

No other details were provided at the moment as to who owns the vehicle. DOTr-SAICT said they condemn the actions of the driver and the passenger in the recent incident.