BAGUIO CITY — The driver seen in a viral video brandishing a firearm during a confrontation near the Igorot Stone Kingdom in Pinsao Proper, Baguio City, will have to spend his holidays preparing answers for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after his driver’s license was suspended.
The incident occurred last week along Longlong Road after a reported disagreement between a visitor and a parking attendant over parking fees. Witnesses said the driver exited his vehicle and pointed a handgun at an attendant who was attempting to assist a colleague. During the confrontation, the driver allegedly claimed to be an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
One of the driver’s companions was also seen in the video challenging the attendant to fight.
The video, which was posted on a Baguio community social media page, quickly went viral and drew widespread condemnation from residents. Netizens expressed disappointment over the behavior of visitors who, they said, failed to show respect for locals and the places they visit. Many appealed to tourists to exercise decency and patience while in the city.
In response, the LTO issued a show-cause order directing the driver to appear before the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on January 8, 2026. He has been ordered to submit a sworn statement explaining why he should not face administrative charges that could result in his permanent classification as an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle,” effectively revoking his driving privileges.
Beyond the license suspension, the LTO also placed the vehicle under “ALARM” status, barring any transactions involving it. The driver was further ordered to surrender his physical license to the LTO-IID while the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities are likewise verifying the driver’s claim of being connected to the NBI to determine whether additional legal action is warranted.
LTO Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao stressed that holding a driver’s license is a privilege that requires discipline and composure, adding that the agency will not hesitate to revoke the privileges of individuals who pose a threat to public safety or fail to drive with responsibility and respect.