LTO suspends licenses of road rage cop, military man

Over the last few weeks, there have been quite a few instances of road rage incidents that went viral on social media. You would probably know by now about the altercation involving a former cop and a cyclist along Quezon Avenue. The former police officer was seen drawing a firearm on an unarmed cyclist after an apparent traffic incident.

The former police officer had his firearm license suspended by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO). It has been reported by various sources that he may possibly face charges and possible revocation of his driver’s license.

Just this week, another road rage incident involving a police staff sergeant and a motorcycle rider who claimed to be a military intelligence officer took place in Makati City. The two individuals figured in an apparent brawl which again involved a firearm as shown in the viral video.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) expressed alarm by these back-to-back incidents and has ordered the immediate suspension of the driver’s licenses of the two individuals involved in the traffic altercation along Osmeña Highway in Makati City.

The LTO has identified the two individuals as Police Staff Sgt. Marsan Dolipas, and Angelito Rencio – who identified himself as a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based on the incident report by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

LTO chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, through the LTO-National Capital Region headed by Dir. Roque Verzosa III has also issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) each for Dolipas and Rencio.

“Personal kong napanood ang video na nag-viral sa social media kaya agad nating ipinag-utos na suspendihin pansamantala ang lisensya ng dalawang taong involved sa insidenteng ito at pagpapaliwanagin din natin kung bakit hindi dapat i-revoke ang kanilang professional driver’s license,” said Mendoza.

(I personally saw the video that went viral on social media that’s why I immediately ordered the temporary suspension of the driver’s licenses of the two who were involved in the road rage incident and we will have them explain why should the LTO not revoke their professional driver’s licenses.)

Based on the NCRPO report, Police Staff Sgt. Marsan Dolipas was driving his vehicle with license plate TJO-306 along Osmeña Highway in Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati City on August 25 when his car was hit by the motorcycle being driven by Rencio.

A confrontation ensued and it was then that Police Staff Sgt. Dolipas noticed a gun tucked on Rencio’s waist which prompted him to grab it. Responding policemen then took Rencio under their custody along with the confiscated firearm.

Based on the SCOs signed by LTO-NCR Dir. Verzosa, Dolipas, and Rencio were asked to explain in a notarized affidavit why they should not be held liable for violations of Reckless Driving, Improper Person to Use a Motorized Vehicle, and Obstruction of Traffic of the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The female registered owner of the motorcycle was also asked to explain why she should not be penalized after LTO records revealed that the motorcycle was not registered which is in violation of Rule II-A of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.

The LTO-NCR was already ordered to block any attempt to register the motorcycle while the investigation is ongoing.

Mendoza explained that the LTO has the power to temporarily suspend the driver’s license of any individual who would commit grave offenses that compromise road safety rules and regulations based on Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

“The Filipino people can always expect swift action from their LTO on incidents that put the safety of all our road users at risk,” said Mendoza.