LTO-6 issues show cause order over Aklan crash

By Gerome Dalipe

The Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) has taken swift administrative action against a wing van driver involved in a 10-vehicle smash-up in Nabas, Aklan, on Monday night.

LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II immediately issued a Show Cause Order to driver Arthur Lizardo Arada following the mass casualty incident that shut down a section of the national highway.

The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. on October 20, 2025, while Arada was operating an Isuzu wing van carrying 300 sacks of refined sugar.

Based on police and eyewitness reports, the truck was descending a highway at high speed when it reportedly suffered brake failure, resulting in a chain-reaction collision.

The crash involved approximately 10 vehicles, including two motorcycles, and left nine of them heavily damaged.

Authorities confirmed that all occupants survived, with only minor injuries reported.

The pileup forced a full road closure and prompted a coordinated rescue response from multiple agencies.

Director Geduspan directed the issuance of the Show Cause Order under Section 48 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, for reckless driving.

The order was personally served by Eva Mae Tabella, chief of the LTO Western Aklan District Office.

Arada has been given five non-extendable days to submit a sworn explanation in response to the charges.

LTO-6’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit, headed by Shiela Mae Alulod, has launched an in-depth inquiry into the incident, focusing on speeding, vehicle load, and mechanical integrity.