LTO to issue show cause order vs Skyway patrol officer over counterflow

The Land Transportation Office said it will issue a show cause order against a Skyway patrol officer who was caught on dashcam counterflowing northbound along the South Luzon Expressway.

The incident was captured in a viral video posted by Motochismis and sent anonymously. Based on dashcam data, the incident occurred at around 10:44 a.m. on 25 January. The motorist said the patrol officer, who was traveling along Skyway Stage 3, allegedly made a reckless U-turn near the C3 exit or ramp.

According to the sender, they had already seen one patrol officer on the outer lane and therefore did not bother changing lanes. However, they did not expect another rider ahead to make a sudden U-turn, prompting a Mitsubishi Adventure in front of them to brake abruptly.

“Ako nagulat din kasi not expecting someone will do that,” the motorist who sent the video to Motochismis said.

“No sirens, no ample warning of making that dangerous turn. Good thing we were just within the speed limit. The second rider failed to make a caution gesture to drivers beforehand,” the sender added.

The sender said they later asked the patrol officers what had happened and were told that there was a “visitor.”

“Bisita meaning what? VIP? Enough to make them do things like that?” the sender said.

The motorist added that they proceeded forward and reported the incident to another patrol officer.

“I pushed forward a bit and I saw another patrolman and reported the situation. Di nila daw gagawin un kahit may bisita sila baka daw may emergency sabi ng patrol. Kahit ba emergency they have to be careful kasi baka sila naman ang irescue or makadamay sila ng iba kasi no sirens if may emergency,” the sender added.

As part of its investigation through the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division, the agency said the license plate of the motorcycle involved was unclear in the video. The LTO has formally requested the cooperation of SLEX Manila Toll Expressway Systems, Inc. to help identify the rider and the motorcycle.

“Hiniling din ng IID na ma-access ang lahat ng available na CCTV o traffic monitoring footage mula sa lahat ng anggulo ng kamera na maaaring nakuhanan ang direksyon ng patrol bago, habang, at kaagad pagkatapos ng insidente,” the LTO said.

LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said a show cause order will be immediately issued to the motorcycle owner and the rider involved once they are identified.

The respondents will be required to submit a verified comment and explanation on the incident and why they should not be held liable for violations of traffic laws.

“Ang kaligtasan sa kalsada ay responsibilidad ng lahat ng gumagamit ng daanan, kabilang na ang mga naatasan na magpatupad ng kaayusan sa kalsada. Kung sakaling mapatunayang may paglabag na naganap, ipapakita natin na ang LTO ay patas ngunit mahigpit sa pagpapatupad ng mga regulasyon upang mapanatili ang ligtas na paglalakbay para sa lahat ng motorista," Lacanilao said.