LTO hunts SUV driver in fuel-and-run cases

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region is conducting a manhunt, in coordination with local police, to identify the driver of a sport utility vehicle linked to two recent fuel-and-run incidents here and in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

“We will hunt you down,” warned LTO-NIR Director Jeck Conlu.

Conlu said an unidentified driver of a Nissan Terra filled up with PHP 7,700 worth of fuel at a gasoline station in Talisay City in the early morning of April 17 and then fled.

He said the incident followed a similar case in Barangay Taculing here on April 15, when the same vehicle allegedly drove away from a gasoline station without paying PHP 6,000.

Conlu said authorities have identified the registered owner of the vehicle, but the owner has died and the SUV is now with a car rental shop.

He said investigators are verifying the ownership documents and the identity of the driver who rented the vehicle and was linked to the two incidents.

He added that the alleged companions of the driver, accompanied by their parents, went to the Talisay City Police Station on Saturday morning to settle the unpaid fuel bill.

However, he said payment of the amount due does not guarantee that the driver will avoid sanctions because the offender remains liable for the act committed.

The LTO-NIR said it is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to identify, locate and apprehend the person responsible.

It said appropriate legal action will be pursued to ensure full accountability.

Conlu said the agency strongly condemns the incidents.

He added that the Intelligence and Investigation Unit believes the cases show a clear pattern and are being treated as deliberate and repeated criminal acts or a possible modus operandi.

“It’s like a modus or tripping,” Conlu said.

The latest incidents followed a similar case on Feb. 27, when an SUV driver also left a gasoline station in Barangay Mansilingan here without paying PHP 500.

Conlu said the vehicle owner in the February case had already identified the driver and that the LTO issued a show-cause order in Binalbagan town directing him to explain his actions.

He added that the driver’s license in the Mansilingan case was also suspended for three months pending further investigation.

He said the vehicle involved in the Mansilingan incident had also been rented from its owner at the time.

The LTO-NIR said it has now recorded three fuel-and-run incidents.

The agency called on the public, especially fuel station operators and personnel, to remain vigilant and immediately report similar incidents to authorities.