The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has filed a ₱50-million civil case against the management of Pangasinan Solid North Transit in connection with the fatal multi-vehicle collision at an SCTEX toll gate on May 1, which resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and left many others injured.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, along with the agency's lawyers, led the filing of the civil case at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) today, Friday, May 23.
RH Val Gonzales reported that the victims' families also took part in filing the case. Among them were the relatives of an engineer couple who died, and a Philippine Coast Guard personnel and her husband who also lost their lives. Their two-year-old child, however, survived the crash.
Meanwhile, after the filing at the QC RTC, Dizon also proceeded to Antipolo City for the filing of a separate ₱80-million civil case on behalf of the families of eight other individuals who died in the tragic SCTEX accident.
Dizon issued a stern warning to motorists who recklessly flaunt traffic violations, including speeding, saying that once caught on video and verified by the LTO or LTFRB, their licenses will be suspended or revoked.
"Sa mga motorista natin na matigas ang ulo, hindi nag-iingat, minsan pinagyayabang pa na nag-speeding sila, o pinagyayabang pa na lumalabag sila sa mga regulasyon natin na pang-trapiko, ‘pag ho kayo ay ma-videohan lang, ma-validate lang ho ito ng LTO at ng LTFRB, suspendido po at mawawala po ang mga lisensya ninyo," said Dizon.
"Hindi po kami nagbibiro dito," he firmly added.
Previously, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a preventive suspension order (PSO) against 15 public utility buses operated by Solid North Transit under Dagupan Bus Company.
