DOTr suspends LTO personnel involved in Panglao incident

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the preventive suspension of Land Transportation Office (LTO) employees involved in a viral incident in Panglao, Bohol.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon made the directive, according to a statement released on Saturday.

“This [suspension] will remain in effect pending the completion of a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event,” the statement read.

The incident occurred Friday. In a now-viral video, the man was on board his motorcycle when he was “arrested” by LTO employees in a law enforcement operation.

The man was held by the LTO personnel and forced to get off his motorcycle. The man was heard shouting that he is a farmer, which is why he was carrying a bolo.

However, he was still arrested and detained at the custodial facility of the Panglao Police Station.

LTO Region 7 released a statement on Friday to express their regrets over the incident and stated that it occurred in the interest of safety and public law and order. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News