Tricycle driver charged after ramming LTO enforcer

By Gerome Dalipe

The Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) has sent a strong message against reckless and violent behavior on the road by filing direct assault charges against a tricycle driver who allegedly rammed an LTO officer during a checkpoint operation on October 23.

The incident, which left the officer injured, occurred during the “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Undas 2025” operations in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

LTO Administrative Officer Fernando Tanagon Jr. of the Guimbal District Office was conducting a roadside inspection when he flagged down a tricycle operated by 53-year-old Anselmo Gabales Soberano.

In his affidavit, Tanagon said Soberano “seriously resisted apprehension” and deliberately drove into him, causing injury to his left lower leg.

The situation escalated when Soberano allegedly blamed Tanagon for standing on the road, saying in Hiligaynon, “You are standing in front of the road that’s why you were hit, sorry sir.”

LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II and Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu visited Tanagon the following day to express their support.

With the assistance of Legal Officer Atty. Tanya Diestro, Tanagon filed a case for direct assault upon an agent of a person in authority (Article 148, Revised Penal Code) before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Soberano is now in police custody and faces criminal prosecution along with administrative penalties after his tricycle was impounded for multiple violations, including failure to carry a driver’s license, operating an unregistered vehicle, and having non-functioning brakes and horn.

Geduspan vowed to pursue the case vigorously, stating, “The LTO-6 will never tolerate any form of harassment, much less an attempt to the lives and safety of our law enforcers.”