Senator Francis Tolentino has expressed support for filing criminal charges against five dismissed Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel who manhandled a 68-year-old Boholano farmer during a road checkpoint in Panglao last week.
“What the former LTO personnel did was wrong and they should face charges in court,” Tolentino said during his visit to Bohol province.
The senator is seeking additional information about the February 28 incident involving Bert Velasco, brother of former Panglao Vice Mayor Brian Velasco.
Sources indicate the information could be used for possible prosecution of the five LTO personnel.
The confrontation, which was captured on video and went viral on social media, prompted Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to dismiss the five field enforcers for what he termed “abusive behavior” during the traffic stop.
According to Assistant Secretary Jojo Reyes of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Velasco was hospitalized following the incident after complaining of back and neck pains and hypertension.
The Velasco family has decided to pursue legal action against the LTO personnel involved.
Brian Velasco, the victim’s younger brother and a candidate for Panglao mayor, said their family patriarch has instructed them to file cases and not settle with those who allegedly manhandled his brother.
“The head of our family has directed us to pursue charges against those who abused their authority,” Brian Velasco said. “My brother is known in our community for carrying tools such as knives for farming purposes.”
The younger Velasco called on government officials to learn from the incident and prevent further abuse of authority by law enforcement personnel.
The incident has drawn reactions from several officials, including Gov. Aris Aumentado, who acknowledged that while the LTO cannot be impeded from performing its nationally-mandated duties, he appealed to the agency to modify its protocols.
Aumentado also suggested allowing police to be deputized to assist in traffic law enforcement.
“We ask Boholanos to follow traffic laws to avoid such confrontations,” Aumentado said. “But I am also appealing to the LTO to review and adjust their protocols when dealing with the public.”
The governor took immediate action after the video surfaced, coordinating with LTO Region 7 Director Glen Galario, who promptly pulled out the personnel involved.
Aumentado also issued public statements about the steps taken to address the situation.
Transportation Secretary Dizon is scheduled to visit Bohol to meet with Aumentado and gather more details about the incident, despite having already ordered the dismissal of the five LTO personnel.
The secretary’s swift action has been welcomed by Bohol residents.
“Even though Secretary Dizon has already dismissed the personnel involved, he wants to understand the full context of what occurred,” a Capitol source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secretary’s schedule.
Meanwhile, Panglao Mayor Edgardo Arcay has remained notably silent on the issue, despite the incident occurring in his jurisdiction and involving a constituent.
The victim’s brother, Brian Velasco, is currently running for town mayor against Arcay in the upcoming elections.
Panglao Councilor JR Rodriguez revealed that while the incident was discussed during a regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan (town council), no formal action was taken as they decided to allow Mayor Arcay to take the lead in responding.
“If the mayor fails to address this matter, there is a possibility that the five field enforcers may be declared persona non grata in our municipality,” Rodriguez said, according to reports.
The viral video showed the LTO personnel forcibly restraining Velasco during what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop, prompting public outrage across social media platforms.
Many commenters criticized what they perceived as excessive force used against an elderly farmer.