QC summons trike driver in viral video

Quezon City’s Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD) has summoned a tricycle driver seen in a viral video allegedly counterflowing along North Avenue amid ongoing MRT-7 construction.

The incident, which occurred Saturday, 17 January, showed the tricycle driver confronting the motorist who recorded the video, refusing to yield his lane and later making obscene gestures.

TTMD identified the driver as Jerald Sese and summoned him Tuesday along with his father, the tricycle’s operator. The incident took place along North Avenue, where traffic flow is adjusted at night due to construction.

The Land Transportation Office earlier issued a show-cause order against Sese, directing him to submit a verified explanation to its Intelligence and Investigation Division by 22 January.

Sese denied counterflowing, saying the road operates as a two-way lane at night. TTMD said its investigation found the tricycle was indeed on the correct lane at the time.

“Noong gabing iyong Kasi, Kapag Gabi, mayroon counter flow lane on sa North Avenue, coming from Mindanao to EDSA. Kasi ongoing sa Gabi iyong construction doon,” QC TTMD Head Dexter Cardenas said in an interview.

Cardenas said tensions escalated after the motorist exited his vehicle.

“According to (tricycle driver), bumaba iyong driver at nagkaroon ng kaunting commotion. At pagbalik, parang vini-video na Siya, nag-react siya. ‘Yan nga iyong reaction niya. Pumalakpak, nag-dirty finger,” he said.

Despite being cleared of counterflowing, TTMD said Sese violated several ordinances, including a ban on tricycles on national roads, operating without proper permits, and lacking a valid Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit.

Officials also found that Sese was driving with a non-professional license that was expired or invalid. The tricycle involved in the incident has been impounded.