LTO suspends driver's licenses of SUV driver, motorcycle rider in Antipolo road rage

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the driver’s licenses of the SUV driver and one of the motorcycle riders involved in the road altercation that led to a shooting incident in Antipolo City.

In a statement issued Monday, the LTO said the agency suspended the driver’s licenses of the two involved individuals pending its investigation into the incident.

“In the [show cause order] issued on the SUV driver and one of the motorcycle riders, it was stated that their driver’s licenses were suspended for 90 days pending the result of the investigation while the SUV and the motorcycle were placed under alarm,” the LTO said.

The LTO said its Intelligence and Investigation Division aims to find out what triggered the scuffle and eventually the shooting incident.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the result of the investigation will be the basis for the possible penalties that will be imposed against the involved individuals including the revocation of their driver’s licenses.

“Nakakalungkot ang ganitong pangyayari na hindi na natin binibigyan ng dignidad ang ating mga sarili, na talo pa natin ang mga bata na magsusuntukan agad sa gitna ng kalsada dahil sa bagay na puwede namang pagpasensyahan,” Mendoza said.

(This kind of incident is sad because we no longer give ourselves dignity, that we are worse than children who will immediately fight in the middle of the street because of something that can be tolerated.)

He also reminded motorists to be cautious, responsible, and patient on the road.

“Muli ay nagpapa-alala tayo sa ating mga kababayang motorista na maging maingat, maging responsible at magbaon ng napakraming pasensya kapag nasa kalsada. Marami na tayong naparusahan dahil sa road rage at marami na ang nasira ang buhay dahil sa road rage,” he said.

(Once again, we remind our motorists to be careful, responsible, and have a lot of patience when on the road. Many people have been punished for road rage and many lives have been ruined because of road rage.)

“Lagi nating tatandaan na may pamilya tayong dapat buhayin, at may pamilya tayong naghihintay na laging umaasa at nananalnagin na makauwi tayo ng maayos sa ating mga tahanan,” he added.

(Let’s always remember that we have a family to support, and we have a family waiting who always hopes and prays that we will return safely to our homes.)

The road rage incident occurred Sunday afternoon on Marcos Highway in Antipolo City and escalated into a shooting, initially leaving four people injured, including the shooter’s partner.

The shooter, identified as 28-year-old  businessman Ken, was arrested.

On Monday, the Antipolo Police said that one of the injured riders died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.

The suspect in the incident may face complaints of murder and multiple frustrated murder.

According to the suspect, he was driving fast because he was trying to catch up with their convoy.

He denied that he was driving close to the motorcycle riders. According to him, it was the riders who were getting close to his vehicle.

"Pagkahinto po sa akin, pinagmumura kaagad nila ako (When I pulled over, they immediately cursed at me)," the suspect said in a report of GMA Integrated News’ EJ Gomez on Unang Balita on Monday.

He said he got out of his vehicle and the brawl with the riders started.

However, based on a video of one of the riders, the suspect's vehicle was seen suddenly appearing from the right side of the road and almost hit one of the motorcycles, according to the Unang Balita report.

According to the son of one of the wounded riders, the suspect was driving so recklessly that one of their motorcycles almost fell over. Due to this, the rider chased after the suspect. According to him, the suspect hit the rider first.

The suspect said that the riders ganged up on him and claimed one of the riders was about to pull out a gun during the altercation.

"Yung matanda po huminto sa akin bubunutan po ako ng baril. Bilang gun owner din ako mati-trigger po ako sa ganun. Saka ko po kinuha yung baril sa sasakyan. Tapos bigla pong sumugod pa sa akin yung matanda doon ko na po siya natamaan," the suspect said.

(The old man who stopped me was about to pull out a gun. As a gun owner, I would be triggered by that. Then I took my gun from the car. Then the old man suddenly rushed at me and I shot him right there.)

The suspect's claim was denied by the rider's son. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News