LTO probes Antipolo road rage incident

Land Transportation Office chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II, on Monday directed the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division to conduct a thorough investigation into a road rage incident in Antipolo City, where a sports utility vehicle (SUV) driver was filmed shooting at motorcycle riders following a scuffle.

Mendoza also reminded motorists to keep their cool while driving, emphasizing that road rage only leads to trouble.

“It’s unfortunate when such events happen, where we lose our dignity and act like children fighting in the middle of the road over something that could easily be resolved with patience,” Mendoza said in Filipino.

4 hurt, one critical

The road rage incident in Sitio Calumpang, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City on Sunday left four people injured.

According to a police report obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, the incident occurred at around 5 p.m. in front of a cafe. The altercation stemmed from a heated argument between the suspect, 28-year-old businessman Kenneth Alajar Bautista, who was driving an SUV, and a 52-year-old motorcycle rider from Navotas City.

The situation turned violent when Bautista allegedly pulled out a 9mm pistol and began shooting.

The motorcycle rider sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remains in critical condition in an Antipolo hospital. His 22-year-old son, a college student, was also wounded, shot in the right arm. A 29-year-old resident of Antipolo was shot in the chest.

Bautista’s 27-year-old live-in partner, who was with him in the SUV, was hit in the thigh during the chaos.

Police responded quickly to a motorist’s report of the suspect fleeing the scene aboard a black Toyota Fortuner. A hot pursuit was launched and officers apprehended Bautista at a checkpoint in Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, later that evening.

Recovered from the scene were eight spent shells and a 9mm CZ P-10C pistol registered to Bautista. The authorities said he failed to present proper documentation for the weapon. Police also recovered two loaded magazines from the suspect.

Bautista is detained at the Antipolo City Police Station.

Criminal complaints are being prepared, including four counts of frustrated homicide, violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violation of the Omnibus Election Code under the ongoing gun ban.

In the latest update from P/Col. Felipe Maraggun, Rizal Police Provincial Office director, two victims have been discharged from the hospital. The motorcycle rider remains in critical condition and continues to undergo treatment.

Revocation of licenses mulled

Mendoza said the results of the investigation will serve as the basis for LTO action, which could include revoking the driver’s licenses of those involved.

LTO-IID head Renante Melitante issued a show-cause order (SCO) to the SUV driver and the three motorcycle riders involved in the incident as part of the investigation.

The SCO stated the driver’s licenses of the SUV driver and one of the motorcycle riders were suspended for 90 days pending the investigation, and the SUV and motorcycle were placed under alarm.

“Once again, we remind our fellow motorists to be careful, responsible, and have plenty of patience on the road. Many have already faced consequences due to road rage, and many lives have been ruined because of it,” Mendoza said.

“Let us always remember that we have families to support, and our loved ones are waiting for us, hoping and praying that we come home safely,” he added.