01:00On a Cebu flyover this week, not because help did not come, but because help came the wrong way.
01:07An ambulance, meant to save a life, took one instead.
01:12An incident occurred when the ambulance counter flowed on the flyover along Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Marangay Luz, Cebu City,
01:21on Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2026.
01:25The fatality was identified as Bryle Nicole Quek, 18 years old, while the injured driver was identified as Juan Antonio
01:35Ladlori, 19.
01:37Both were students of the University of San Carlos and were reportedly taking up mechanical engineering.
01:43The Traffic Enforcement Unit, or TEU, explained that while ambulances, police patrol cars, and fire trucks are allowed to counter
01:54flow during emergencies, they must still exercise caution.
01:59The unit emphasized that drivers are not exempt from liability if they cause accidents or fatalities, even when rushing a
02:09patient to the hospital.
02:11At the same time, authorities are also urging motorists to yield and give way to ambulances, patrol cars, and fire
02:21trucks when they hear sirens.
02:23So these vehicles can reach their destinations quickly and respond effectively to emergencies.
02:32The common question after reading these two sides is this, where is the balance?
02:40Because it looks like it's not choosing between speed and safety.
02:44It is actually choosing both speed and safety every single time.
02:51So these viewers, you can also feel free to give your commentary about the incident.
02:59Because the most important thing is, if the ambulance is allowed certain freedom just to transport a patient in an
03:12emergency case,
03:14and that the general public would also have to yield to them, then where are we on the side of
03:23safety?
03:23Okay, in any particular case, they were on the right side of the lane.
03:32So correct is the lane.
03:34But the ambulance, counter flow, they were on the right side of the lane.
03:45Because there was one fatality, Nicole Quek, and then the driver, the motor, is in a serious condition as we
04:02speak.
04:03Now, I've said the headlines, and to our viewers, you can also feel free to comment.
04:09We also did our own research, and our research arrived to this particular Republic Act number 4136, or RA 4136,
04:20the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
04:22And, of course, as we know, this is the traffic code that governs the road use in the Philippines.
04:31And this also includes emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, ambulances, and police.
04:40And as what we stated in the earlier part of this episode, that the RA 4136 actually recognize and allow
04:52special privileges for ambulances, fire trucks, and police.
04:59So when we say special privileges, they can be over-speeding, they can beat the red light, and they can
05:07be counter-flow.
05:09Now, in the case of this particular incident, may counter-flow ang ambulance.
05:15However, ang special privileges are also not absolute.
05:22It's very clear also on the Republic Act 4136.
05:27So meaning, the right of way is granted, including counter-flow, but as stated, it's not absolute.
05:35So what's the requirement then if we say it is not absolute?
05:38Number one, the siren must be on.
05:41And I think in this case, naka-on ang siren.
05:43Second, lights must be visible.
05:47And in this case, because it happened in the afternoon, I should say that at least per observation, the lights
05:54were also on.
05:55I think it was the problem in the third requirement.
06:00That's why it wasn't absolute.
06:02Because RA 4136 also stated that the driver of an ambulance, a fire truck, or police must slow down at
06:14intersection, blind curves, and elevated roads.
06:19Because in these points, visibility is limited.
06:24And I think, kung basaho na ito ang mga reports na gistate specific to this incident, makita na ito na
06:33there were observations na it was a blind curve.
06:36So dili magkita ang katong ambulance o ang motor.
06:40And in the case of Republic Act 4136, the driver must slow down at intersections or blind curves such as
06:50this.
06:52The second one is, under the same Republic Act 4136, sakto sa itong giingon sa Traffic Enforcement Unit or TAU,
07:03no one is exempted from the liability.
07:06So under RA 4136, it's also very clear that even if responding to an emergency, emergency respondents are not exempt
07:18from traffic laws and consequences.
07:21So in a nutshell, saving lives should not endanger lives.
07:28Again, saving lives should not endanger lives.
07:32And then number three, which is related na to non-exempt of liability, and that right-of-way is not
07:40absolute, is the point specific to counterflow.
07:45Because RA 4136 also stated that counterflow is considered generally dangerous and punishable.
07:56So yes, it is tolerated in true emergencies such as this case, but if it causes harm, and in this
08:07case, it actually caused death even, it could still lead to criminal and civil liability.
08:14And so, in a nutshell, for this particular requirement, emergency does not erase accountability.
08:25So I think in these two counts, then he may be kind of hurt, the other ambulance driver.
08:33That's why naigipasakang complaint already and a case that was filed specifically for the driver of the ambulance.
08:45Now, the fourth point here that I would like to cover was also in a commentary that was released today
08:53also in Sunstar.
08:54And it was written by another Sunstar writer and the name of si Ahmed Quizon.
09:02And I would agree also with the point that he raised specific to road safety audits or RSA.
09:10Now, while dito sa report, it was actually stated that kanang dugay-dugay na giyad na wala na conduct ang
09:20road safety audit.
09:22Pero on sa giyaday na yung road safety audit, it is a systematic inspection of roads, bridges, and flyovers.
09:30And this should be conducted by independent technical experts.
09:35So on sa man ang i-check during an RSA.
09:38Number one, structural risk.
09:40Number two, traffic hazards.
09:43And number three, design flaws.
09:46And in the case, kanang flyover sa Archbishop Reyes where the incident happened apparently has a blind curve, no?
09:56And ang output supposedly sa RSA, by the way, ang RSA is conducted after a bridge or a flyover, for
10:04example, is finished.
10:06And it's also conducted on a certain periodic frequency, no?
10:12And among the output, aside from identification, or better yun kung prevention kung napasya sa design phase.
10:19But once it's identified, the hazard should have been highlighted.
10:24And in this case, based on kanang accounts of observers, on both counts, there was a blind curve.
10:31So the question actually here is, was an RSA conducted, was the hazard identified, and were the actions already in
10:39place, no?
10:40To prevent similar accidents such as this one.
10:45So Natay Upaka points specific to this particular case, no?
10:50And so, as we leave today's episode, no?
10:53It's also good for us to refresh, no?
10:57And to ponder on several points.
11:00And at least kung kita, kanang mga everyday commuters, aware sa da, unsao na to pag-avoid, no?
11:08If ever we are placed in a situation that there's a speeding vehicle, no?
11:12A police car, an ambulance, or a fire truck.
11:16So, number one, as stated earlier, saving lives should not endanger others.
11:24So that means, right to counter flow for these speeding vehicles is not absolute.
11:30Second, no one is exempted from liability.
11:34If it would result to death, then the driver remains liable.
11:39And that leads also na, even if it's an emergency, no, and there's the intent to save lives, it should
11:48not erase accountability.
11:50Because saving one life does not also mean allowing a person, no, or freeing the person from the accountability of
11:59taking another life.
12:01And finally, it's about time also that our authorities, no, like the, like LTO, no, should already enforce road safety
12:13audit, or RSA,
12:14because these are supposed to be measures that will prevent accidents such as this one before they happen.
12:24So, sa katong mga viewers na to, kung na mo'y comment, please feel free also to share your comments,
12:30no, even after the episode.
12:31So, as we leave today, no, it's important for us to remember the four points also that was mentioned.
12:39Suggestion tong tong final one, but they also, it is also an important suggestion to be enforced,
12:47because that's always part of, that's supposed to be part of the mechanism.
12:50So, the right of way is never the right to take a life.
12:55It is not the siren, but the judgment and the infrastructure behind it that defines safety on the road.
13:04So, I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:32I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:35I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:37I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:39I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:40I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:40I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:40I'm DJ Moises. This has been Beyond the Headlines. Good afternoon.
13:40I'm DJ Moises. Good afternoon. I'm DJ Moises. Good afternoon.
13:42I'm DJ Moises. Good afternoon. I'm DJ Moises. Good afternoon.
13:47I'm DJ Moises. Good afternoon.
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