CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) has removed from duty an LTO worker involved in a road collision with a cyclist in Mandaue City and placed the employee’s driver’s license under preventive suspension pending an administrative investigation.

LTO-7 Regional Director Wendel Dinglasan said the agency issued a show cause order against the respondent following the August12 incident on A. Soriano St. in Barangay Centro, Mandaue City, which left a cyclist injured.

The order requires the respondent to explain why the LTO should not impose an appropriate administrative penalty.

The respondent must personally appear before the LTO-7 Operations Division on Aug. 17, 2026, and submit a written or sworn explanation, together with relevant documents and evidence.

READ: Cyclist injured in LTO-7 patrol vehicle incident

LTO reviews CCTV footage

LTO-7 said its investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the collision, including whether negligence, reckless driving, or violations of existing laws, rules, and regulations occurred.

The agency also said it has reviewed available CCTV footage, which showed that two bicycles collided before the victim fell into the path of the incoming LTO patrol vehicle.

LTO-7 said the footage will help investigators establish the sequence of events and determine the actions of those involved before, during, and after the collision.

The agency said it will continue its administrative investigation before determining any liability or penalty.

What happened?

The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 as LTO-7 patrol vehicles traveled along A. Soriano St. after an inspection operation.

LTO-7 Legal Officer Atty. Vincent Santiago earlier said the patrol vehicles were heading to deliver impounded vehicles when they approached an intersection marked “turn right anytime with care.”

The first patrol vehicle, a Nissan Navara, had already completed the turn when a Toyota Innova followed, Santiago said.

He said both patrol vehicles had their blinkers and warning signals activated.

According to Santiago, the injured cyclist rode ahead of the Innova while another cyclist attempted to overtake him on the right.

The two bicycles then collided, causing the cyclist who fell to land directly in the path of the Innova, Santiago said.

“Nakablinker man ni sila (patrol car) unya ni-signal pa gyud sila kanang wangwang ba…. Kini’ng usa ka rider nagdali-dali, iyaha’ng gi-overtaken ang victim nga nag-una, unya pagkatumba gud ani, adto man natumba sa atubangan na gyud sa Innova, blind spot. Pagtunob sa clutch, gasolinador, didto naligiran,” Santiago said.

(The patrol car had its blinker on and also activated its siren. One rider was in a hurry and was overtaking the victim who was ahead. When the victim fell, he fell directly in front of the Innova, in its blind spot. When the driver stepped on the clutch and accelerator, the cyclist was run over.)

Emergency responders and LTO-7 personnel immediately brought the injured cyclist to a hospital.

Santiago said the cyclist sustained scratches and a wound on one ear but suffered no broken bones. The other cyclist involved in the collision escaped injury.

LTO driver now under investigation

The LTO’s latest action is a shift from the initial account of the incident, which focused on how the cyclist ended up in the patrol vehicle’s path.

With the issuance of the Show Cause Order, LTO-7 will now formally determine whether the agency’s personnel incurred administrative liability.

The respondent’s preventive suspension from driving and removal from duty will remain in place while the investigation proceeds.

The parties had earlier agreed to enter into a compromise agreement, which was scheduled for signing before the Mandaue City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit.

However, the compromise does not preclude the LTO from conducting its own administrative investigation into the conduct of its personnel.

LTO-7 said it will assess the available evidence, including CCTV footage and the respondent’s explanation, before deciding on the appropriate administrative action.

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