An official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) clarified that drivers involved in fatal road incidents may be placed under police custody as part of standard legal procedure, even if initial findings show they were not at fault.
During an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao addressed questions surrounding a recent incident near an LRT station in Muñoz, where a student reportedly fell and was subsequently struck by a vehicle.
Based on reports gathered by authorities, Lacanilao said the student allegedly jumped and fell onto the roadway, and was unintentionally hit by a passing vehicle.
“Base po dun sa mga reports na nakalap din namin, di umano tumalon daw po yung estudyante at yun nga po nahulog at natamaan naman nung sasakyan na hindi sinasadya kasi nga po nahulog siya,” Lacanilao said.
He added that the cause of death was attributed to the fall and the injuries sustained after being struck by the vehicle.
Lacanilao was also asked in the interview why the driver was still taken into custody despite indications that he had no fault in the incident. He explained that under Philippine law, any incident involving a fatality automatically requires investigation, and this often includes filing a case to allow the courts or prosecutors to determine liability.
“Minsan nakakasuhan sila pero hindi ibig sabihin yun kinakasuhan sila ng ating kapulisan ay para ipitin sila. Hindi. Para i-clear sila. Kasi korte yung mag-clear sa kanila o piskal niya sa sabihin na ito'y walang kasalanan,” he said.
He emphasized that police authorities cannot immediately declare a driver free of liability at the scene, as legal procedures must be followed to ensure due process.
“Siyempre medyo nakaka-confuse yun pero may batas kasi kaya lalo na pag may namatay, napakabigat po,” Lacanilao said.
The LTO Chif said it acknowledged public concern over motorists being placed in detention facilities alongside criminal suspects while investigations are ongoing.
“Sa aming pananaw, kung bigyan ng pagkakataon na huwag naman isama doon sa mga kriminal,” he said, stressing that drivers who appear to have no fault should not be treated like hardened offenders during the process.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed that the driver in the Muñoz incident was released from police custody on Thursday afternoon, February 13.
In a statement, the QCPD said the driver was released after the victim’s father executed a notarized letter declining to press charges, adding that their investigation and CCTV review found no clear signs of negligence and that the driver fully cooperated and complied with all legal requirements while in custody.
