Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Ferdinand Lacanilao on Monday ordered the surrender of the vehicle and driver involved in a viral video showing a Department of Transportation and Communications driver allegedly physically assaulting a motorist along Katipunan Avenue.

In an interview with DZRH, Lacanilao said in Filipino, “I released this morning an order for the surrender of the driver and the vehicle involved in the viral video, and a show cause order yesterday for those involved in the Katipunan (incident), the vehicle with the blinker and the protocol plate. We are giving them the rest of the day to surrender the vehicle, so that we can investigate deeper.”

The video shows a Lexus LS 750 reportedly carrying DOTr Undersecretary Ricky Alfonso, parked along Katipunan Avenue, blocking a motorist. The driver allegedly confronted and slapped the motorist, prompting public outrage.

Lacanilao emphasized his commitment to protecting “small” motorists against abuses by owners of luxury vehicles.

“When I was first appointed, I was clear in stating that my priority is those who own luxury vehicles, not the small (folk), which is what’s happening now. That’s why I’m only giving them the rest of the day. If they do not comply with my directive, we will pursue drastic legal action so that we can reprimand those who do something like this,” he said.

He added, “It’s obvious in the video that there is lack of discipline and there is abuse. We know that. Like the use of the blinker. And the person was just in a small multicab and was assaulted. We will not tolerate abuse."

On a related matter, Lacanilao gave an update on a viral video involving a motorist hitting a student on a motorcycle in Rizal.

“The driver in the viral video in the incident in Teresa, Rizal is supposed to report to the LTO today. If you were to ask me, this is also a case of abuse. The victim is a student, a kid. But even if it wasn’t a student, the motorist shouldn’t have hit them. I will not allow this. We will carry out the heaviest legal punishment in the LTO,” he said.

Lacanilao also announced the temporary suspension of a 1 November policy imposing a P5,000 fine for vehicles without plate numbers. He cited ongoing investigations into challenges faced by motorists in securing plate numbers and said the suspension aims to protect ordinary Filipinos from undue financial burden.