The driver of a boom truck that rammed at least two vehicles in Barangay West Triangle in Quezon City on 3 January and the owner of the car in a viral road rage video also in the city recently, were both summoned by the Land Transportation Office to explain why they should not be penalized.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said Friday that they already flashed an alarm on the Toyota Vios whose driver was caught engaged in a heated argument with a fellow motorist in another viral road rage video in Quezon City.

Mendoza explained that the agency's action to place the vehicle on alarm is part of the investigation process to identify the driver that was seen in the viral video.

"A Show Cause Order was already issued and this was sent to the registered owner of that vehicle. As part of the due process, we want to know the side of the person involved before any action of the LTO," Mendoza said.

In the SCO signed by LTO-National Capital Region Director Roque Verzosa III, the registered owner of the Vios was asked to appear before his office on January 17 and should have a notarized affidavit as to why no penalties should be imposed.

Mendoza said at least two violations were committed based on the initial investigation, the first is obstruction of traffic as a result of the heated altercation and improper person to operate a motor vehicle which carries a penalty of driver's license cancellation.

Mendoza urged the registered owner of the vehicle to cooperate with the investigation, saying failure to do so would compel the LTO to decide on the case based on the available pieces of evidence.

Mendoza has been warning motorists to keep their cool on the road, saying cases of road rage usually cause more trouble.

SCO for the wayward truck driver

Mendoza added that a Show Cause Order was also issued against the driver of the wayward truck as well as the owner of the Isuzu boom truck to explain why he should not be penalized for reckless driving and violation of Republic Act 4136, particularly Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle which has a maximum penalty of driver's license cancellation.

In the SCO signed by Verzosa III, the driver of the truck, a resident of Quezon City, was asked to submit a notarized affidavit on his explanation of the incident that left at least two people injured.

"Please be informed that the Isuzu Boom Truck and the driver's license will be placed on alarm pending investigation and imposition of appropriate penalty," the SCO stated.

Based on the initial investigation, Mendoza said the vehicles hit were at a stop near a traffic light at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Examiner Street in Barangay West Triangle when they were rammed by the boom truck.

The boom truck only stopped when it crashed on a planter box located on the road.

The SCO also asked the truck driver to appear before the LTO-NCR office in Quezon City on 17 January.

"We want to hear the driver's side of the story before any action would be done. But this early, this incident showed the necessity of ensuring road worthiness of any vehicle because what is at stake here is the safety of all road users," said Mendoza.

The office of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista was already informed of the LTO action.