LTO summons alleged police officer over fire truck obstruction

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a show-cause order Friday to the owner and driver of a vehicle involved in a viral video showing a man, allegedly a police officer, obstructing a fire truck and verbally berating its driver.

The LTO directed the registered owner of a Toyota Vios and the driver involved in the incident to appear at the Intelligence and Investigation Division in Quezon City on 29 January at 1 p.m.

The respondents must submit a sworn explanation and supporting documents to show why they should not face administrative charges for obstruction and why the driver’s license should not be revoked for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said hindering emergency vehicles is unacceptable and illegal and cited that such actions violate the principles of responsible citizenship and public service, particularly if the individual involved is a government employee.

“Fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles have a critical role in protecting the lives and property of our citizens,” Lacanilao said.

The LTO has placed an alarm status on the vehicle and suspended the driver’s license for 90 days. The driver was ordered to surrender the license upon receipt of the show cause order. The agency also subpoenaed the owner of the fire truck to testify at the 29 January hearing.

In a separate incident, the LTO Negros Island Region issued show-cause orders to the owner and rider of a motorcycle in Bacolod City. A viral video showed the rider blocking a fire truck despite its active sirens. Investigators discovered the rider was not the registered owner of the motorcycle.