An alleged person with disability (PWD) is choked by a man while inside a public utility bus along the EDSA Busway, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB). The Board has summoned officials of the bus company involved in the incident. (Courtesy of DOTr, LTFRB)

An alleged person with disability (PWD) was punched, kicked, choked, and temporarily incapacitated with a taser while inside a public utility bus (PUB) along the EDSA Busway in a now-viral video that prompted the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to summon officials from the involved bus company.

The LTFRB said it will issue a show cause order to “Precious Grace Transport” after a video of the apparent physical assault of an unidentified man, allegedly a PWD, was posted on the internet last June 10.

“The LTFRB has summoned the officials of Precious Grace Transport to explain why their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) should not be suspended or revoked,” LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said on Friday, June 13.

Based on initial findings by the Department of Transportation’s Surveillance and Action Information Coordinating Team (DOTr-SAICT), the bus unit involved belongs to Precious Grace Transport with plate number NDQ 2615. 

In a 1:30-minute long video posted on social media, the PWD man clad in a white shirt was seen sitting at the back portion of the bus while screaming “Tama na! (Stop it!)” and biting a piece of cloth.

Suddenly, a man wearing a dark-colored shirt could be seen kicking the PWD man’s face and punching him as the latter tried to parry the attacks with his hands. The PWD man was then dragged to the ground and choked by another man; and moments later, got tased by another.

The LTFRB said the PWD man was allegedly assaulted by the bus conductor and certain passengers aboard one of the company’s units operating along the EDSA Busway.

It was not determined why the bus personnel and some passengers were attacking the PWD man. 

An independent investigation is underway to gather testimonies and verify the authenticity of the video footage, which has since garnered 11 million views, 58,000 reactions, and 25,000 comments, most of which were condemning the abuse against the mentally challenged man.

Guadiz said that the LTRB won’t tolerate any act of violence, discrimination, or abuse, especially against PWDs. 

“Public utility operators are duty-bound to ensure the safety and dignity of all passengers,” he emphasized.

The LTFRB has also ordered a 30-day preventive suspension against 10 bus units of the company, which are all operating in the EDSA Bus Carousel.

The LTFRB assured the public that those found guilty of any misconduct would face “swift and appropriate sanctions”.