LTO-6 warns drag racers, reckless drivers of sanctions

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) has launched an intensified campaign to crack down on illegal drag racing and other reckless driving behaviors on Western Visayas highways.

Under the leadership of Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II and Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu, the agency vowed to pursue administrative and criminal sanctions against anyone whose actions endanger lives on public roads.

“Drag racing on national highways is a reckless act unless conducted on a certified racetrack with proper safety gear,” Geduspan said.

“We will pursue all leads to hold accountable anyone whose actions endanger lives on our roads.”

As part of the campaign, LTO-6 issued a show cause order to the registered owner of a Honda Click motorcycle featured in a viral video drag racing on the national highway in Sta. Barbara past midnight on July 13.

LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit Chief Shiela Mae C. Alulod personally served the order Monday at the motor owner’s residence in Barangay Sambag, Jaro.

The motor owner has five calendar days to submit a sworn explanation or face suspension or revocation of his vehicle registration and driver’s license under Section 48 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Conlu emphasized the broader goal of the campaign.

“It’s not just about one incident,” he said.

“We want every motorist to understand that dangerous stunts and street racing will no longer be tolerated.”

“Our highways are for safe travel, not thrill-seeking.”

Alulod said the rider in the footage operated the motorcycle without a helmet and lacked a valid driver’s license.

The motor owner, accompanied by the alleged rider, appeared earlier today at the LTO-6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit and submitted a written explanation.

In his statement, the motorcycle owner said he had left the motorcycle at a repair shop in San Isidro, Jaro, on July 12, and that it was taken without his permission by a mechanic.

He presented shop receipts and photographs to support his claim and apologized for the incident, pledging full cooperation with LTO-6’s road safety initiatives.

Under Section 48 of Republic Act 4136, reckless driving is punishable by fines of up to PHP2,010 for a first offense, imprisonment of up to one year, and mandatory suspension of driving privileges.

Additionally, Section 27(a) authorizes the LTO to suspend or revoke a driver’s license if the person is deemed an “improper person” to operate a motor vehicle.

The registered owner now has five calendar days from receipt of the order to submit a sworn explanation.

Failure to respond will be treated as a waiver of the right to be heard, allowing LTO-6 to resolve the case based on the evidence on record.

LTO-6 reminds motorists that anyone caught engaging in drag racing or other reckless acts on public roads will face swift administrative and criminal action.