ILOILO — A road pursuit between members of the Iloilo Provincial Anti-Overloading Task Force and a dump truck allegedly carrying quarry materials went viral on social media after the truck driver abandoned the vehicle along the highway and fled on foot in Zarraga town on Saturday afternoon, October 10.
An investigation by the Zarraga Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed that the task force, operating under the Office of Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, was conducting a checkpoint in Barangay Dawis, New Lucena town, when operatives flagged down the white dump truck around 1 p.m.
Instead of stopping, the driver sped past the checkpoint toward the direction of Zarraga town proper.
Task force personnel pursued the fleeing heavy vehicle using a government service utility vehicle, attempting to block its path. However, upon reaching the roadside in Zarraga, the driver abruptly parked the truck, exited the cab, and vanished into the surrounding area before authorities could apprehend him.
Task force members requested immediate assistance from the Zarraga MPS, led by Major Beverly Cataluña, but responding officers failed to locate the fleeing driver.
The incident was blottered at the Zarraga MPS, while provincial authorities coordinated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to determine additional traffic and registration violations aside from evading an official checkpoint.
Police confirmed that the dump truck has been turned over to the custody of the Zarraga MPS by its owner, who declined to issue a statement or clarify if the vehicle was engaged in quarry hauling operations.
When reached for comment, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) head Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco Jr. said his office is reviewing the official task force report to identify the liabilities of both the driver and the vehicle owner.
“We will get the report of the task force and make the driver and owner face any and all liabilities under the ordinance and the laws,” Buyco said./PN
