From race to pursuit: Authorities identify unruly drivers on JASA midnight run
Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) in San Fernando, Pampanga, suddenly—and illegally—turned into a racetrack in the early hours of Wednesday, May 28.
In a now-deleted video posted on Facebook (which CLTV36 News managed to download, of course), two cars were seen positioned side by side, revving their engines and ready to go full throttle.
Between the cars stood a man acting as the race starter, eventually giving the signal to begin. All of this happened along a well-lit and beautifully adorned major thoroughfare at the heart of the region.
“Ako po ay nagbigay ng marching order sa atin pong mga night shift personnel na ipagpatuloy lang po ang operation in partnership with the PNP… Base po doon sa binigay na picture sa amin, ay medyo marami-rami po ang involved dito at halos kalalakihan, kung kaya’t mas mainam na magkaroon kami ng kasama mula po sa PNP,” said Louie Clemente, Chief of the City Public Order and Safety Coordinating Office (CPOSCO), during a phone interview on CLTV36 Newstream, Wednesday morning.
In a separate phone interview on CLTV36 Newstream on Thursday, May 29, the Land Transportation Office-Central Luzon (LTO-III) said they had already determined possible violations by the drivers after an initial review of the video.
“Just by looking at it in plain sight, it is already a case of reckless driving. After that, through the show cause order, we may suspend the driver’s licenses of the individuals involved… Aside from that, we can recommend to the LTO Assistant Secretary the revocation of the licenses of those involved in the drag race,” explained Atty. Sushen Sison-Lazatin, Operations Chief of LTO-III.
CPOSCO has formally requested the assistance of the LTO in identifying those involved in the incident, which posed a significant danger to the public.
Darius Hizon, Focal Person of CPOSCO, confirmed to CLTV36 News on Friday, May 30, that they have already identified the drivers involved in the illegal race.
Both CPOSCO and LTO are urging the public to refrain from engaging in such reckless stunts on public roads, as they put innocent lives at risk.
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