The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against a vlogger, the driver, and the registered owner of a vehicle involved in a viral social media video showing a gasoline station attendant chasing a moving car that allegedly left without paying.
The SCO was released following an investigation by the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) into the incident, which took place along Maharlika Highway in Allacapan, Cagayan. The video showed a Toyota Land Cruiser being pursued by a gas station attendant under intense heat after the vehicle reportedly drove off without settling payment.
Authorities said the individual who recorded the video was inside the vehicle during the incident and allegedly allowed or instructed the driver to continue driving while the attendant was chasing them.
The LTO has ordered the vlogger, the registered owner, and the driver to appear before the agency and submit sworn statements explaining why they should not be held liable for administrative violations, including reckless driving, and why they should not be declared improper persons to operate a motor vehicle under existing laws.
Meanwhile, the driver has been directed to surrender his license, which is now under a 90-day preventive suspension. The vehicle involved has also been placed under alarm status.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing that such behavior has no place on public roads—even if done for content.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na gawing biro o content ang isang sitwasyong malinaw na naglalagay sa kapwa sa panganib. Lalo na sa panahong nararanasan natin ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, ang ganitong uri ng asal ay hindi lamang iresponsable, kundi nagpapakita rin ng kawalan ng malasakit,” ani Lacanilao.
“Hindi ito nakakatuwa, at lalong hindi ito dapat tularan. Ang paggamit ng sasakyan ay may kaakibat na pananagutan, at pananagutan ding gamitin ito nang may paggalang sa kapwa at sa batas,” dagdag pa niya.
The LTO reiterated its warning to the public that vehicles must not be used for irresponsible, abusive, or exploitative acts, regardless of whether they are intended for entertainment or social media content.
