MANILA, Philippines â The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Monday that it has ordered an investigation against its personnel who have gone viral for reckless driving at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
The video involving junior Coast Guard Officer Ensign Alain Anthony Agpalo went viral after âX Vlogsâ posted the footage in the first week of 2024.
In a statement, the PCG said the Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Land Transportation Office sent a letter to the Coast Guard Intelligence Force on January 4, identifying Agpalo as the rider of the motorcycle (less than 400cc) that had entered SLEX illegally and refused to stop when flagged down by law enforcement officials.Â
âWe assure the public that we will cooperate with the LTO investigation. We will also conduct a parallel investigation and sanction CG Ensign Agpalo based on the evidence,â said CG Admiral Gavan.
âWe do not tolerate officers or personnel violating existing laws and regulations implemented by other agencies. They must face the consequences of their actions,â he added.
The maritime security agency likewise said that Agpalo was directed to appear at the LTO today, January 8.
He was also instructed to submit a written explanation as to why the embattled officer âshould not be administratively charged for disregarding traffic signs and reckless driving, as well as why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.â
According to the PCG, Coast Guardians with the rank of âEnsignâ are considered junior officers for they have been in the Coast Guard service for roughly one to five years.
Agpalo finished his Coast Guard training in October 2019, after which he formally took oath as an official member of the organization, the PCG said.