LTO-6 honors fallen road safety advocate

By Gerome Dalipe

ILOILO CITY — Land Transportation Office Region 6 Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II described the death of moto vlogger and photographer Gerald Roldan, popularly known online as “Petix Akean,” as the “ultimate sacrifice” of a road safety advocate.

Roldan was killed Aug. 30 when another motorcycle collided head-on with his along the national highway in Tangalan, Aklan.

Geduspan, accompanied by LTO Kalibo District Office chief Marlon Velez, visited Roldan’s wake to extend condolences to his family.

Geduspan described Roldan as a road safety advocate from Kalibo, Aklan, who used his online platform to promote road discipline and driver education.

“He is a road safety advocate based in Kalibo, Aklan,” Geduspan said, recalling Roldan’s efforts to support road safety campaigns, including initiatives carried out with the LTO.

The LTO-6 chief said Roldan’s death was particularly painful because of his advocacy.

“Another rider coming from the opposite direction, riding a big bike at very high speed, overshot his lane and directly collided with Mr. Roldan,” Geduspan said.

“Ultimate sacrifice for a road safety advocate to lose his life promoting road discipline and helping LTO weed out undisciplined and kamote riders,” he added.

The rider involved in the fatal crash, 24-year-old Maynard Engaling, was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension of his driver’s license while the administrative case against him is being investigated.

In a one-page order, Geduspan directed Engaling to immediately surrender his license to the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit.

“This is to ensure the safety of the public and to prevent the possibility of similar incidents occurring while this administrative case is pending,” the order stated.

Investigators are also looking into other riders who were reportedly with Engaling at the time of the crash.

The Intelligence and Investigation Unit issued show cause orders to several riders, requiring them to explain their alleged participation in the incident and why they should not be held administratively liable for reckless driving.

CCTV footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed the group overtaking vehicles at high speed and crossing into the opposite lane shortly before Engaling’s motorcycle collided with Roldan.

Geduspan said four to five additional riders could face preventive suspension once investigators confirm their identities and determine their individual roles in the incident.

Those who received show cause orders have five days from receipt to submit their explanations.

The LTO-6 has recently stepped up coordination with police agencies on serious road crashes and traffic violations, with a referral mechanism allowing police reports to support administrative action against motorists accused of violating road safety rules.