Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday presented the driver of an SUV with protocol plate number ‘7’ that illegally entered the EDSA Busway and almost hit a traffic enforcer before fleeing. In a press conference, LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, identified the driver as Angelito Edpan, driving a white Cadillac Escalade registered to Orient Pacific Corp. (OPC).

According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza stated that the LTO was contacted by the involved parties, who expressed their willingness to take responsibility for the incident. With only about 100 Cadillac Escalades in the country and less than 20 of them being white, the LTO was already in the process of identifying the vehicle. Edpan’s driver’s license was confiscated during the conference and a traffic violation ticket was issued. Further administrative charges are being considered as the investigation continues.

OPC Director Omar Guinomla apologized for the incident and mentioned that an internal investigation
is underway to determine how the protocol plate, exclusive for elected government officials, was obtained. He assured cooperation with the authorities and promised a formal statement once the investigation concludes. Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission link two real estate firms named Orient Pacific Corp. to billionaire entrepreneur William Gatchalian, father of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The incident, initially reported by the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), involved a white SUV with protocol plate ‘7’ illegally passing through the northbound lane of the EDSA Busway in Guadalupe. The vehicle attempted to flee after being flagged down, with a passenger reportedly making an offensive gesture towards law enforcement officers.

Senator Raffy Tulfo claimed the unidentified passenger might be related to a senator, though he clarified that the senator was not aboard the SUV during the incident. Information from Tulfo’s offic
e suggested the passenger arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Narita, Tokyo, and was en route to Quezon City when the vehicle was stopped. Tulfo expressed doubts about the authenticity of the protocol plate, suspecting unauthorized use by the passenger.

Tulfo urged the passenger to come forward, apologize, and alleviate suspicions surrounding the involvement of any senator. He plans to file a resolution to investigate the incident further, inviting concerned agencies and individuals to provide explanations.