PCG to probe personnel tagged in viral SLEX reckless driving incident

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will launch a parallel investigation into a reckless driving incident at the South Luzon Expressway involving its junior officer.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan in a statement on Monday announced that he has ordered the probe against junior Coast Guard officer Ensign Alain Anthony Agpalo, who was named behind the viral reckless driving video at the SLEX.

Agpalo was caught entering SLEX while riding a motorcycle that is below 400 cubic centimeters and refused to stop when officers flagged him down.

According to Republic Act No. 2000 or Limited Access Highway Act, motorcycles with below 400 CC engine displacement are prohibited from entering expressways.

Agpalo's violation was caught on cam and made rounds on social media after it was posted by "X Vlogs" during the first week of January 2024.

Last January 4, Gavan said that the Coast Guard Intelligence Force (CGIF) received a letter from the Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) stating Agpalo's violation. He was then asked to appear before the LTO.

Agpalo appeared before the LTO on Monday and was also ordered to submit a written explanation stating the reasons why "he should not be administratively charged for disregarding traffic signs and reckless driving, as well as why his driver's license should not be suspended or revoked."

Gavan then assured the public that PCG will cooperate with the investigation of the LTO and will also conduct a parallel probe against Agpalo.

He said that Agpalo will be sanctioned based on the evidence, stressing that the PCG does not tolerate law violators.

"Here in the Philippine Coast Guard, we do not tolerate officers or personnel violating existing laws and regulations implemented by other agencies. They must face the consequences of their actions," Gavan said.

Agpalo has been a PCG member since 2020 after completing his training in May that year.