Iloilo city: A German national has been slapped with a one-year ban from securing a driver's license or operating any motor vehicle in the Philippines due to seatbelt and license violations. Land Transportation Office Western Visayas (LTO-6) regional director, lawyer Gaudioso Geduspan II, approved the driving ban against Andreas Lothar Koch on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Koch was flagged down by an LTO-6 apprehending officer somewhere in Cabatuan, Iloilo on July 3 for not wearing a seatbelt and was issued a temporary operator's permit. "A video from the law enforcer's body camera showed the German's failure to buckle up and his inability to produce a passport or valid local license, prompting the enforcer to issue a Temporary Operator's Permit and confiscate the driver's Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) to verify his identity," said the LTO-6 in a statement.

The foreigner, through a counsel, filed a formal complaint against the traffic enforcer for misconduct on July 18, which was dismissed by the Intelligence and Investigation Unit for lack of sufficient basis. Koch was later found to have exceeded the 90-day validity period for using his foreign driver's license under Philippine law.

"Under Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), foreign drivers are only allowed to operate motor vehicles in the Philippines using a valid foreign license for up to 90 days from their date of arrival," added LTO-6. Koch entered the Philippines on Feb. 25.

In addition to the one-year driving disqualification, the German was ordered to pay fines for violation of RA 8750 (not wearing a seatbelt) and RA 4136 (driving without a valid license). 'This resolution upholds both road safety and due process. Drivers must comply with mandatory seatbelt laws and secure the proper license for their entire stay,' Geduspan said. He also directed the LTO-6 Traffic Adjudication Board to return the German's ACR once he pays the required penalties.