LTO enforcer hit by SUV driven by mayor’s kin

MANILA, Philippines — A traffic enforcer of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was injured after his foot was run over by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) reportedly driven by a relative of a mayor in Metro Manila on Friday.

At a press briefing yesterday, LTO Field Enforcement Division enforcer Butch Sebastian became teary eyed as he recounted his “traumatic” experience.

Sebastian said he pulled over the SUV – a Ford Everest – along EDSA in Caloocan for using the wrong lane. But the driver switched on a “wang-wang” or blinker then fled.

The driver was accosted after a police officer passed by, Sebastian said, adding that the suspect refused to present his license and the vehicle’s registration.

The traffic enforcer, who turned 50 on Thursday, lamented the injuries he suffered a day after his birthday.

According to Sebastian, the driver stirred the wheel even though he had informed him that his foot was stuck on the wheel.

He appealed to the SUV driver to at least accord him the respect his position, as traffic enforcer, entails when on the road.

The driver did not flaunt his connections to a Metro Manila mayor when he was accosted, Sebastian said, as he vowed to pursue charges against the suspect.

The LTO did not identify the suspect as administrative proceedings are ongoing to suspend his driver’s license, LTO intelligence and investigation division officer-in-charge Renante Melitante said.

A show-cause order was issued against the driver and the registered owner of the Ford Everest, whose names were withheld from the media.

The driver and the registered owner of the vehicle were required to submit a written explanation as to why they should not be charged with obstruction of traffic, reckless driving and use of unauthorized car accessories, the LTO said.

The LTO said it would also look into the unauthorized use of a blinker and siren by the suspect.

Under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz said only authorized government vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks and police cars are allowed to use blinkers and sirens.