Trike driver faces charges for assaulting LTO enforcer

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A tricycle driver remains in jail after allegedly hitting a Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 enforcer during roadside operations on the morning of October 23 in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

In a press statement, the LTO-6 identified the accused as 53-year-old Anselmo Soberano.

The incident, which injured an LTO officer, occurred during the agency’s intensified “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Undas 2025” operation along Barangay 1C Poblacion, Tigbauan town.

According to reports, LTO Administrative Officer Fernando Tanagon Jr. of the LTO Guimbal District Office, along with colleagues and local traffic enforcers, was conducting inspections when he flagged down a tricycle driven by Soberano.

In his affidavit, Tanagon said Soberano “seriously resisted apprehension” and deliberately drove the tricycle toward him, hitting his left lower leg and causing injury.

Tanagon recounted that after the incident, the driver blamed him, saying in the vernacular, “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 Conlu visited Tanagon on Thursday afternoon following the incident.

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

Soberano is currently detained at the Tigbauan Municipal Police Station.

Aside from the criminal case, he may face administrative penalties, as his tricycle was impounded for multiple violations including failure to carry a driver’s license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and having non-functional brakes and horn.

Geduspan vowed to pursue the case vigorously.

“The LTO-6 will never tolerate any form of harassment, much less an attempt to the lives and safety of our law enforcers,” he said.

He added that the legal action sends a clear message that the agency will stand by its personnel and uphold the law.

Geduspan emphasized the move aligns with directives from LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao and Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez to enforce strict accountability among road users and ensure the safety of both the public and law enforcers.