MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the registered owner and driver of a Mitsubishi Montero Sport accused of illegally entering the exclusive EDSA Busway 307 times since 2022.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the action was taken following a request for assistance from MMDA Chairman Don Artes and is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to crack down on repeat traffic offenders.

“We already identified the registered owner and our investigation will determine who has been driving this vehicle during the 307 violations,” said Mendoza.

Of the total violations, 14 were recorded via CCTV under the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), which was reimplemented last month. The vehicle was last registered in August 2022, according to LTO records.

The SCO, signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, orders the Quezon City-based vehicle owner to appear at the LTO with the driver and provide a written explanation for the multiple violations, which include disregard of traffic signs and obstruction of traffic.

The driver faces an additional case for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle under Section 27(a) of R.A. 4136, while the owner is being charged with violating the Compulsory Registration of Motor Vehicles under Section 5 of the same law.

In the meantime, the LTO has placed the SUV under alarm status, which temporarily bars all transactions related to the vehicle until the case is resolved.

“Failure to appear and submit the required written explanation shall be construed as a waiver of the right to be heard, and the case will be decided based on available evidence,” the LTO warned in the SCO.

Mendoza assured the MMDA of regular updates on the progress of the investigation.