LTO ISSUES SHOW CAUSE ORDER VS OWNER, DRIVER OF TRUCK IN DEADLY KATIPUNAN ROAD MISHAP

THE  Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the registered owner and the driver of a truck in a multiple vehicle collision that left four dead and at least 26 wounded on Katipunan Avenue flyover in Bgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City on Thursday.

LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said the SCO was issued as part of the conduct of the investigation into the deadly road mishap.

Based on the police report submitted to the LTO-Law Enforcement Service (LES), an Isuzu Wing van truck with plate no. RJK-719 driven by Richard R. Mangupag rammed several vehicles and motorcycles along the road.

“Part of the investigation we are conducting is to determine if there are lapses on the part of the registered owner, especially on the aspect of road worthiness and the employment of the driver,” said Mendoza.

“Apat ang namatay dito at mahigit 25 ang nasugatan at ang ating imbestigasyon ay upang matiyak na mabibigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng insidenteng ito,” he added.

In the SCO signed by LTO-LES director Eduardo de Guzman, the registered owner of the truck was asked to explain why he should not be sanctioned over the incident.

“In view thereof, you, as the registered owner of the complained motor vehicle, are hereby directed to submit a written explanation why you should not be administratively charged for Employing Reckless Driver,” the SCO read.

Mangupag was directed to submit his own written explanation as to why he should not be charged for reckless driving (Sec. 48 of R.A. 41236) and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle in connection with the incident.

Mendoza said the driving privilege of Mangupag was preventively suspended for 90 days and was also ordered to surrender his driver’s license on or before December 10, the scheduled first hearing.

Mendoza also said that the driver’s license and plate no. RJK-719 will be placed under alarm preventing any and all transactions while under investigation.

“Failure to appear and submit the written comments/explanations as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your rights to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” the SCO read.