'Congresswoman's' SUV, escort evade EDSA Busway authorities

Transportation authorities at the EDSA Busway attempted to apprehend an SUV allegedly carrying a congresswoman, accompanied by an escorting pick-up truck, but the vehicles sped off, evading traffic enforcers.

According to a 24 Oras report by Nico Waje on Tuesday, Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) officers initially flagged down the pick-up truck, which was equipped with flashing lights and a siren.

The driver of the pick-up truck claimed they were escorting a VIP—a congresswoman. However, SAICT officers clarified that neither the pick-up truck nor the SUV it was escorting was authorized to use the EDSA Busway.

When instructed to pull over and surrender his license, the pick-up driver sped off. Shortly afterward, an SUV with government license plates also roared through the busway and evaded authorities.

The SAICT is now coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regarding the incident.

“Itong registered owner ng sasakyan at driver ay padadalhan ng show cause order ng LTO at kakausapin ng LTO kung ano ang mga nasuway na violations at karampatang penalties,” said SAICT Spokesperson Jonathan Gesmundo.

(The LTO will issue the registered owner and driver of the vehicle a show-cause order. They will be informed of their violations and corresponding penalties.)

Authorities are also investigating the identity of the congresswoman allegedly involved.

“Inaalam pa kung sino [ang] identity ng congresswoman, kung talagang siya ay escort. Pero sinabi na ng enforcers na kahit pa escort siya, hindi siya allowed gumamit noong busway. Hindi siya kasama doon sa mga pinapayagang gumamit ng busway,” Gesmundo added.

(We are still determining the identity of the congresswoman and verifying if the pick-up was indeed serving as an escort. Regardless, enforcers have emphasized that even VIP escorts are not permitted to use the busway, as they are not among those authorized to do so.)

Enforcer run over 

In a separate incident, a traffic enforcer in Santa Maria, Bulacan, was struck by a speeding vehicle.

The impact threw the enforcer over the vehicle, leaving him severely injured.

“Nandoon pa siya sa General Hospital kanina, under observation pa. 'Yung driver nakakulong na rito sa police station at naka-impound na rin 'yung sasakyan. Eh puyat daw sila sa biyahe,” said Santa Maria TMO Vice Chairman Vicente Herrera.

(He is still under observation at the General Hospital. Meanwhile, the driver is detained at the police station, and the vehicle has been impounded. The driver claimed they were sleep-deprived from a long journey.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News