TWO officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 2 have been relieved from their posts for physically attacking two individuals, including a minor, in a hotel in Tuguegarao City.
In a media briefing at the LTO headquarters in Quezon City, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he has written the Office of the President and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to seek the permanent removal of the assistant regional director of Region II.
“We have seen what actually happened. There was a banquet. For whatever reason, this assistant regional director physically kicked our two fellowmen right there and then and apparently (one is) even a minor,” Dizon said.
He identified the two officials as assistant regional director Manuel Baricaua and chief enforcer as Charles Ursulum.
Dizon also instructed LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II to assist the victims in the filing of charges against Baricau and Ursulum.
“I have asked Assistant Secretary Vigor to reach out to the victims, and to help in any way in the filing of charges, I assume physical assault charges against these people. There’s no excuse here,” he said.
He said a probe is no longer needed since the incident has been captured on video.
Mendoza, however, said Baricaua and Ursulum were given the chance to present their side of the story.
“On the orders of Secretary Vince, we immediately executed a notice to explain. They had already replied last week. So as far as due process is concerned, we gave them the opportunity to explain their side,” Mendoza added.
