Valenzuela apprehends ‘reckless’ truck driver

Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian ordered swift sanctions against a truck driver who went viral for reckless driving, turning the case over to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and suspending the trucking firm’s permit to operate for violating a city ordinance.

The mayor’s directives were announced during a press conference at the Valenzuela City Hall on Saturday, following the release of closed-circuit television footage shared online by netizens.

The Valenzuela City police said the incident happened on 15 January 2026 at around 8:30 p.m. along Sapang Bakaw Street in Barangay Lawang Bato.

Gatchalian ordered city police chief Col. Joseph G. Talento to conduct a thorough investigation.

The driver, identified only as “Nelson,” 41, a resident of Barangay Lawang Bato and an employee of Royal King Trucking Services Inc., was voluntarily presented by the company after Sub-station 7 personnel located him for investigation.

Police said the incident placed the lives of motorists and pedestrians in danger and caused public alarm.

The LTO, which issued a show cause order, ordered the surrender of the driver’s license, imposed a 90-day preventive suspension, and placed the driver’s license and the trailer truck under alarm status.

The driver said he was rushing home because of his wife’s condition at the time of the incident.

Gatchalian said the reason did not justify reckless driving, warning that the incident could have resulted in serious injuries or loss of lives.

As a result, the mayor ordered the temporary closure and suspension of operations of Royal King Trucking Services Inc. pending an investigation.

The Business Permit and Licensing Office also confirmed that the company had no valid business permit.

Gatchalian called on the three motorcycle riders seen in the video to consider filing complaints, with the city offering free legal assistance.