A motorcycle rider in Pampanga was arrested yesterday for allegedly and deliberately ramming a Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcer during one of the agency's spot checkpoint operations in San Fernando.
The LTO enforcer was identified as Jerome Pamintuan, who was rushed to a nearby hospital after he sustained multiple injuries from the alleged deliberate ramming of the motorcycle rider.
According to witnesses, motorcycle rider Robert Jocson was being flagged down because he was riding his motorcycle without a standard crash helmet. Instead of slowing down, Jocson allegedly tried to ram Pamintuan's teammate, Cris Canlas but he was able to dodge the raging motorcycle. Sadly, Pamintuan was not able to do the same.
What's worse is that, immediately after the incident, Jocson tried to flee the scene, but ended up crashing into a truck a few moments later where he was eventually caught by policemen. During the investigation, it was revealed that besides not wearing a crash helmet, Jocson was also driving without a license, as well as driving a motorcycle with an expired registration.
Jocson also allegedly tried to provide false information to investigators, including providing a traffic citation ticket issued in Capas, Tarlac bearing false information about his identity. He is currently detained at San Fernando police station.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) director for communications, Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran, through her social media page, expressed strong displeasure over the incident and has said that drivers like Jocson should be banned forever from the roads, and has said that such an action is equal to a criminal act.
Nothing to worry about for riders
MotoPinas.com was able to have a quick conversation with an LTO “Flying Squad” team leader (who requested to remain anonymous) during one of their recent operations in Quezon City on the subject of motorcyclist's apprehension. According to the Flying Squad team leader, motorcycle riders must not see the LTO enforcers as the “bad guy” whenever there's an operation and should stop for proper verification. The LTO is just doing their job as mandated by the law. Most importantly, according to the team leader, is that riders who are following the law should not be worried.
What he means is that motorcycle riders should at all times, while riding a motorcycle, wear a standard motorcycle crash helmet and shoes. It also goes without saying that motorcycle riders must carry with them a valid driver's license [with proper restriction codes] and updated vehicle registration; a road-worthy motorcycle that is within the guidelines of the LTO. If that's the case, there should be nothing to worry about.
