MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday urged the owner of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) bearing a license plate No. 7 who reportedly tried to run over a female traffic enforcer after being caught driving inside the bus lane to surface and take responsibility.
In a statement, Escudero said the actions of the driver and passengers of the vehicle are “unacceptable,” emphasizing that they have violated the law.
“If indeed the owner is a member of the Senate, I expect him/her to come forward and instruct the person/s driving the vehicle to responsibly face the consequences and of their actions as soon as they know and find out about the incident themselves, and to surrender and present themselves to the authorities accordingly,” he said.
Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) reported that their Secretariat, Sarah Barnachea, noticed on Sunday evening the white SUV with a number 7 license plate illegally passing through the Guadalupe Station’s northbound EDSA bus lane and approached the vehicle to apprehend the driver.
However, the driver attempted to run over Barnachea and flee the scene.
Another traffic enforcer, identified as Secretariat Reyno, helped in trying to apprehend the driver and his passengers, but the driver continued to resist and eventually managed to get away.
A passenger in the back seat was also reported to have raised a middle finger at the traffic officers.
“I commend Secretariat Barnachea and Reyno for keeping their composure and remaining courteous notwithstanding the circumstances that they encountered,” Escudero said.
“I urge LTO to identify the owner-user of the vehicle and to inform the Senate as soon as possible,” he added.
Last April, Escudero issued a public apology after a Senate vehicle issued to him was apprehended by the Metro Manila Development Authority for also using the EDSA bus lane. (PNA)