Patrol car ‘power trip’ busted; cop’s license suspended

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the suspension of a police officer’s driver’s license after a viral video showed a Philippine National Police (PNP) patrol car intentionally blocking traffic and obstructing a motorist on Taft Avenue.

Reports said that the incident, which occurred Thursday in front of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), involved a mobile patrol unit assigned to the Ermita Police Station.

In the video, a motorist narrates how the patrol car cut him off and then refused to move at a green light after he honked his horn.

“They cut in front of me earlier; when I honked my horn they got angry,” the driver said while filming the encounter. “The light is on go, but they don’t want to go. They’re just blocking the road.”

The footage shows the police vehicle reversing toward the motorist’s car to prevent him from driving around the patrol unit. The police driver eventually accelerated only as the traffic light was turning red, leaving the motorist behind.

According to a show cause order issued by the LTO, the officer’s actions created a safety hazard and constituted a clear violation of traffic regulations.

The agency noted that the behavior was particularly concerning because it was committed by individuals sworn to enforce the law.

The driver of the patrol car faces charges of reckless driving and obstruction of traffic. Under the LTO order, the officer’s driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days and must be surrendered to the agency immediately.