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5 LTO ENFORCERS IN VIRAL PANGLAO, BOHOL INCIDENT SACKED

admin March 4, 2025

THE five alleged “abusive” enforcers of the Land Transportation (LTO) involved in the viral Panglao, Bohol manhandling incident were ordered dismissed from the service effective Monday.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon made the announcement in a press conference held Monday at the LTO central office in Quezon City.

According to Dizon, field officers must see to it they always practice maximum tolerance and not resort to “excessive force” in dealing with all the motorists and violators along the way.

“Di natin pwede payagan na ang ganitong pag-uugali ay manggagaling sa ating mga kawani,” Dizon said.

The new Transportation head emphasized what President Marcos Jr. wanted for government officials to be like.

“We are the people’s servants and not their Lords,” he quoted the President’s directive relating it to the viral Panglao, Bohol incident.

Dizon said he immediately directed Assistant Secretary Jojo Reyes to fly to Bohol to conduct his own probe apart from the investigation ordered by LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.

According to Reyes, he was able to talk personally at the hospital the motorcycle driver, a farmer, who was subjected to “excessive force” by the enforcers.

He identified the man as Mang Bert who was complaining from severe back pain while his blood pressure shoot to 190/90 aside from being traumatized over the incident.

The enforcers, he added, were conducting anti-colorum operation during that time following complaints from legitimate vehicle owners and operators.

Reyes said in that instance, Mang Bert suddenly confronted the LTO men asking them “bakit ‘yung mahihirap lang ang hinuhuli nyo,'” that irked the enforcers.

Dizon, however, said it was not proper for the enforcers to react violently referring to what he saw in the viral video.

“Kahit na totoong naka-inom, kahit na totoong may hawak na patalim, ‘di ito maju-justify sa dahas na ginawa nila (LTO men),” the DOTr Secretary said.

The incident Dizon added, should serve as a wake up call to other personnel, especially those in the field, to always observe maximum tolerance in every situation.

It also calls for time to review or have some revisions of the policies and regulations on some traffic rules if needed. He did not elaborate.

“Hindi natin pwede gamitin ang poder para manggipit,” Dizon said.