An investigating panel formed by the Trade Department will inspect the automotive plant of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. on Friday as part of the investigation on alleged “sudden unintended acceleration” of some Montero models.
Trade undersecretary for consumer protection Victorio Dimagiba said the panel would inspect the facility as a part of the protocol on investigation. “From there, they will submit a recommendation if recall and suspension of sales are justified. They have two weeks to do this and there will be no extension,” Dimagiba said.
Dimagiba said the Trade Department, while empowered by the Consumer Law to order the recall of any defective products, was carefully assessing the case of Mitsubishi Montero.
“Our interest is safety. We are doing this to avoid accidents and prevent harm and loss of lives
as well as properties,” said Dimagiba.
Automotive experts from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Science Department recommended that all Montero units sold from 2010 to 2015 undergo onboard computer diagnostic tests.
Dimagiba said the government could issue a recall order “but the payment [to owners] needs to undergo a consumer complaint on a case-to case basis.”