LTO Kalibo suspends bus driver for near-miss incident

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Kalibo District Office has suspended the professional driver’s license of a Ceres bus driver who nearly hit a traffic enforcer and several crossing students in Barangay Estancia on July 10, 2025.

LTO Kalibo District Office Chief Engr. Marlon Velez served a show cause order to the 30-year-old driver, a resident of Roxas City, who reported to the office the following day to receive it.

According to a police report, Auxiliary Police Officer Arvin Barrera was assisting students across a pedestrian lane in front of Estancia Elementary School when the Ceres bus sped past without stopping, despite clear hand signals to yield.

The vehicle came dangerously close to both the officer and the students, causing panic.

Viral video footage shows the traffic officer signaling for traffic to stop when the bus failed to slow down, forcing both the officer and the children to retreat to safety.

The bus came to a complete stop only after passing the crosswalk.

The driver later apologized, saying he was uncertain whether he could stop in time.

Citing the seriousness of the violation, Velez said the driver’s actions constitute reckless driving under Section 48 of Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

In a show cause order dated July 15, 2025, LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II directed the driver to explain within five days why his license should not be suspended or revoked.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the LTO imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on the driver’s professional license, which he was ordered to immediately surrender to the LTO Kalibo District Office.

“The safety of pedestrians—especially schoolchildren—is our top priority,” said Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu.

“We will not hesitate to hold accountable those who endanger lives on our roads.”