LTO Summons Jeepney Driver in Fatal Oton Collision

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Guimbal District Office has issued a show cause order to a modernized jeepney driver involved in a head-on crash that killed a 21-year-old motorist on Sunday morning, July 5, in Barangay San Antonio, Oton.

The fatality, identified only as “Mando,” was a resident of Barangay Parara, Tigbauan.

He was declared dead on arrival at Iloilo Provincial Hospital after his Mitsubishi Lancer collided with a modern jeepney at around 5:45 a.m.

The jeepney was operated by the Alliance of Provincial Owners and Drivers Transport Cooperative and driven by Jeto E. Sicabalo, 40, of Barangay Idcadlom, San Joaquin.

Sicabalo and about 10 passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby health center.

According to the Oton Municipal Police Station, the sedan veered into the oncoming lane and crashed head-on with the jeepney, causing extensive damage to the car.

In response, LTO Guimbal District Chief Giovanni L. Gasaro summoned Sicabalo to explain in writing why his professional driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.

Sicabalo, accompanied by Alliance cooperative general manager John Vincent Genelazo, appeared Monday at the office of Shiela Mae Alulod, chief of the LTO Region 6 Intelligence and Investigation Unit.

The show cause order cites Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which mandates administrative sanctions—ranging from suspension to revocation—against drivers involved in accidents resulting in death or injury.

Sicabalo has three working days from receipt of the order to submit his explanation.

Failure to comply will result in the immediate suspension of his license pending the outcome of the investigation.