MANILA – The driver of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) with a “7” protocol plate and illegally used the EDSA busway surrendered to authorities on Wednesday.
According to Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza, the driver was identified as Angelito Edpan, 52, an employee of Orient Pacific Corporation, which owns the involved vehicle.
“Today I would like to announce that the mystery behind the ownership and the people behind the controversial SUV with a number 7 protocol plate on EDSA busway is already solved,” Mendoza said in a press conference.
“The driver and the registered owner of the SUV contacted us yesterday and informed us that they would show up and take responsibility for the unfortunate incident in Guadalupe, Makati,” he added.
Edpan, who was also present during the presser, said he was transporting investors when the incident happened. He also denied knowledge how the company his working for managed to obtain a “7” protocol plate, which was assigned to senators.
According to Edpan, two guests and another company driver were on board the vehicle when the incident happened. He said they came from a restaurant and were heading to a mall.
“Wala po nag-utos sa akin. Ano talaga, nagmamadali na ako. Sinubukan ko kasi akala ko noong Linggo walang ano kaya sinubukan kong pumasok,” Edpan said.
Orient Pacific Corporation director Omar Guinomla, for his part, said the company will cooperate with the investigation.
“Our group came here to apologize to LTO and sa mga principals because of the incident. That’s our main purpose that’s why we are here,” Guinomla said.
“Rest assured we will cooperate with the investigation. In fact, meron din kami (we also have an) internal investigation of our own. Siguro (maybe) within the day, we will be making a statement regarding this,” he added.
The LTO said Edpan committed violations including disregarding traffic signs which comes with a P1,000 fine, reckless driving with P2,000 fine, illegal use of protocol plate with P5,000 fine, and failure to attach regular plate with P1,000 fine./PN
