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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG chief orders probe on junior officer tagged in reckless driving video

PCG chief orders probe on junior officer tagged in reckless driving video

Published Jan 8, 2024 06:47 am
gavan.jpeg
PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan (File photo)

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan on Monday, Jan. 8, directed an investigation on a junior officer whose video of reckless driving along Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) went viral on social media.

Coast Guard Ensign Alain Anthony Agpalo was identified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as the rider of a Suzuki motorcycle (below 400cc) that illegally entered SLEX and refused to stop when enforcers flagged him down.

To note, only motorcycles which engine displaces 400 cubic centimeters of volume can enter SLEX, according to the Toll REgulatory Board (TRB).

The incident was caught in a video which was posted by a motorcycle-enthusiast vlogger on Facebook last January 2, garnering thousands of views.

"We assure the public that we will cooperate with the LTO investigation. We will also conduct a parallel investigation and sanction CG Ensign Agpalo based on the evidence," Gavan said.

According to Gavan, the Coast Guard Intelligence Force (CGIF) received a letter from the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division last Jan. 4 about the incident.

pcg junior.jpg
Courtesy of X Vlogs / Facebook)

In a 3:19-minute long video uploaded by a certain "X Vlogs", a motorcycle rider was seen filming himself in a POV [point of view] while riding a Suzuki Raider 148cc motorcycle.

"Ito trip lang 'to ha papasok ako ng express ha. Raider din ako, Raider. Express 'to, papasok ako (This is just for fun but I will enter the expressway. I'm a Raider user. This is an expressway and I will enter it)," the rider behind the video was heard.

Throughout the video, the rider can be heard shouting for successfully entering the expressway along with bigger and faster vehicles, seemingly oblivious of the danger it poses to himself and other motorists.

At one point, the rider was approached by traffic enforcers on a mobile but he ignored them and sped off while saying: "Panis. May humahabol sanang enforcer, may patrol pa. Panis (No match. An enforcer was about to run after me, he's on a patrol vehicle. But he's no match for me)."

Agpalo was directed to appear before the LTO officer on Monday and submit a written explanation as to why he should not be administratively charged for disregarding traffic signs and reckless driving, as well as why his driver's license should not be suspended or revoked.

"Here in the Philippine Coast Guard, we do not tolerate officers or personnel violating existing laws and regulations implemented by other agencies. They must face the consequences of their actions," Gavan assured.

According to PCG, Agpalo finished his Coast Guard training in October 2019, after which he formally took oath as an official member of the organization.

Coast Guardians with the rank of "Ensign" are considered junior officers for they have been in the Coast Guard service for roughly one to five years.

Related Tags

Land Transportation Office PCG Reckless driving
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