An off-duty police officer who chased and helped arrest a Land Transportation Office (LTO) employee allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident in Antipolo City has been recognized for his actions.

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), led by Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, honored Police Executive Master Sgt. Andy Evangelista on Monday, Aug. 17, for his quick response to the incident.

According to NAPOLCOM, Evangelista was off duty when he pursued the suspect following the road crash on the evening of Aug. 14.

The suspect, an employee of the LTO Quezon City District Office, was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle hit pedestrians before fleeing the scene.

Evangelista pursued the suspect and helped apprehend him despite being off duty.

“Heto yung off duty cop na nanghabol ng LTO employee na nang-hit and run ng kanyang mga sinagasaan sa Antipolo. Makisig. By the book ang pagaresro kahit mapanganib. Dapat tularan. Pems Andy Evangelista. Dapat ma-spot promotion. Will work on it, kasama ni Sgt Francisco na rumespunde sa holdup ng Muntinlupa (This is the off-duty cop who chased the LTO employee involved in a hit-and-run in Antipolo. His arrest was by the book despite the danger. He should be emulated. PEMS Andy Evangelista deserves a spot promotion. We will work on it, along with Sgt. Francisco, who responded to a holdup incident in Muntinlupa),” Calinisan said.

Calinisan said he would work on a possible spot promotion for Evangelista in recognition of his actions.

LTO orders action vs employee

Meanwhile, the LTO said it has initiated legal and administrative action against the employee involved in the incident.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered the immediate revocation of the employee’s driver’s license and his lifetime disqualification from obtaining any type of driver’s license, subject to the outcome of the appropriate proceedings.

“Walang puwang sa LTO ang lasing na pagmamaneho, hit-and-run, at anumang kilos na naglalagay sa panganib sa buhay ng publiko. Lalo na kung ang sangkot ay mismong kawani ng ahensya na inaasahang nagpapatupad ng batas (There is no place in the LTO for drunk driving, hit-and-run incidents, or any act that puts the lives of the public at risk, especially when the person involved is an employee of the agency expected to enforce the law),” Lacanilao said.

He added that the employee would not receive special treatment because of his position in the agency.

“Hindi siya bibigyan ng espesyal na trato. Kung kinakailangan siyang managot sa batas at mawalan ng trabaho, ipatutupad natin ito. Walang palakasan at walang pagtatakip sa LTO (He will not be given special treatment. If he has to be held accountable under the law and lose his job, we will enforce it. There will be no favoritism and no cover-up in the LTO),” he said.

The LTO reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is prohibited and reminded motorists that fleeing the scene of a road crash to avoid responsibility is unacceptable.