A driver in Cebu City is facing a show cause order from the Land Transportation Office after a video went viral on July 2, showing him deliberately hitting a traffic enforcer with his vehicle and fleeing the scene.

The incident happened on July 1, at the corner of Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard, where a Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) traffic enforcer was managing traffic flow, the LTO said.

CCTV footage showed the driver initially responding to the enforcer’s signal to stop. But the vehicle suddenly moved forward without warning and hit the enforcer, causing him to fall to the road. Instead of stopping to help, the driver accelerated and almost ran over the enforcer, causing injuries, before fleeing the scene.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered the issuance of a show cause order against the driver of the Isuzu MU-X, directing the owner and driver to explain why they should not be held liable for violations including Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle and Reckless Driving.

“We cannot let this incident pass because our traffic enforcers deserve respect as they are only doing their duty for public safety. No motorist should endanger those who work to maintain order on our roads,” Lacanilao said.

The LTO also preventively suspended the driver’s license for 90 days and ordered its surrender at the scheduled hearing. The vehicle was placed under alarm status while the investigation continues.

The LTO said it will continue to enforce traffic laws and take action against motorists who exhibit irresponsible behavior, urging all drivers to show respect for traffic enforcers and practice disciplined driving.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) held a tripartite meeting on July 1, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination among agencies mandated to manage transportation and enforce traffic laws.

Discussions during the meeting covered road safety enhancement, traffic management improvement, stricter enforcement of existing traffic regulations, and the formulation of coordinated measures to ensure a more orderly, safe, and efficient public transport system.

The meeting also aimed to bolster information sharing, policy coordination, and inter-agency collaboration to address current challenges in the transport sector and lay down concrete solutions for faster and more efficient public service.

The agencies have previously worked together on various initiatives, including the development of the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028, which seeks to reduce road fatalities by 35 percent by 2028 based on 2019 crash data.

The MMDA, LTO, and LTFRB are also among agencies involved in implementing the government’s carpooling program, which operates on a point-to-point system with strict safety standards and requires LTFRB special permits for authorized vehicles.

The tripartite meeting builds on existing inter-agency protocols, including the LTO’s demerit point system for traffic violations and the LTFRB’s Central Public Utility Vehicle Monitoring System, which uses GPS devices to track public utility vehicles in real time .

The MMDA also said it will continue coordinating with other government agencies to promote programs aimed at maintaining order on the roads and ensuring the safety and welfare of motorists, commuters, and other road users.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said a social media post on July 1, it has issued a show cause order against the owner and driver of a pick-up truck after a photo surfaced showing students riding on the vehicle’s cargo bed while traversing a public road.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao ordered the issuance of the show cause after the agency learned of the photograph, which shows students packed at the rear of the Toyota Hilux without any visible safety measures. The photo prompted the LTO to conduct verification to identify the registered owner and driver of the vehicle.

The driver has been directed to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division to submit a sworn statement and explain why he should not be held liable for reckless driving and for being declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle. These charges could result in the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license.

During verification, the LTO also discovered that the vehicle was not registered, adding an additional violation of driving an unregistered motor vehicle to the case.

The driver’s license has been placed under a 90-day preventive suspension while the investigation is ongoing. The vehicle has been placed under alarm status to ensure it cannot be used or undergo any transactions with the LTO during the investigation.

“The welfare of passengers is always our priority, especially students,” Lacanilao said. “We will not let this dangerous practice on the road pass because the lives and safety of passengers are at stake. Be responsible and disciplined in driving, whether your trip is short or long.”

The LTO reiterated its call for motorists to ensure that passengers are transported safely and in accordance with the law. The agency said it would continue to intensify enforcement of traffic laws against dangerous violations to maintain safety for all road users.