Cyclist, van passengers clash over Antipolo traffic dispute
A video screenshot shows a physical altercation between a soldier and mixed martial artist riding a bicycle and passengers of a utility van along a street in Antipolo, Rizal. The scuffle erupted after the vehicle honked at the cyclist while riding inside a designated bike lane.
Screengrab FROM Steven Lancian/LTO/Facebook
A cyclist, a van driver and two passengers were involved in a physical altercation following a road rage incident along a local street, authorities said.
Video footage from the incident showed a cyclist dressed in black exchanging kicks and punches with two men in blue uniforms before additional passengers joined the fight.
According to witness April Escobar, a utility van belonging to an internet service provider honked at the cyclist, who was riding inside a designated bike lane.
The driver and cyclist stopped to confront each other before the van’s passengers disembarked and joined the argument, leading both sides to lose their tempers.
The cyclist, who is a soldier and a mixed martial artist, said he acted out of self-defense after sensing an immediate threat, initiating light contact that quickly escalated into a full scuffle.
The cyclist suffered bruises on his fists and the left side of his head, along with a head bump.
Although the driver and the cyclist later settled the dispute amicably before police officers, the Land Transportation Office issued a show cause order against the driver and the registered owner of the van.
The agency also placed the driver’s license under a 90-day suspension.