Rider’s license suspended over child in delivery box

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the driver’s license of a motorcycle rider who was caught on video transporting a child inside a delivery box.

The LTO said the 90-day suspension was handed down on the rider after initial investigation. The agency issued a show cause order and set a hearing today to further probe the incident.

The LTO directed the rider to submit a written explanation why he should not be administratively charged for violating Section 4 of Republic Act 10666 (Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act) and Section A, Title 1 of Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, a provision that deals with driving with an inappropriate driver’s license classification.

The rider’s license could also be suspended or revoked if he is found to be an “improper person to operate a motor vehicle” pursuant to Section 27(a) of RA 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division directed the rider to bring his motorcycle to the agency’s North Motor Vehicle Inspection Center.

Both his license and motorcycle were placed under alarm while the case is under investigation.

The video, taken on Feb. 24 and uploaded on social media by Jeric Cruz, shows a child’s hand lifting the cover of box. Cruz later deleted the video upon the rider’s request.

The LTO earlier said the rider violated the rules for carrying a child on a motorcycle, such as the child’s feet should reach the motorcycle’s foot peg, the child should wear a helmet and the child’s arms should be wrapped around the motorcycle driver.

GMA News reported that the rider just wanted to go home with his child, who he said was sleepy at that time. He believed his child would be more comfortable in the box.