THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned a police officer who allegedly blocked a fire truck responding to an emergency, following a viral video that sparked public outrage online.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Friday, January 23, the LTO said the incident involved a driver of a Toyota Vios—believed to be a police officer—who reportedly stopped in front of a fire truck and hurled verbal insults at its crew.
“Isang insidente na kumakalat sa social media kung saan ang driver ng isang Toyota Vios – na tila isang opisyal ng pulisya – ay sinasabing sadyang huminto sa harap ng isang fire truck upang hadlangan ito at gumawa ng hindi nararapat na mga pahayag laban sa driver ng fire truck,” the LTO said.
While the motive of the driver has yet to be established, the agency said the alleged obstruction violated traffic laws and endangered public safety.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said such behavior was unacceptable, especially if committed by a government employee.
“Ang pagharang sa kanilang daanan at paggawa ng hindi angkop na pag-uugali ay hindi lamang labag sa batas kundi labag din sa mga prinsipyo ng pagiging responsableng mamamayan at public servant kung sakaling ang nasangkot ay isang kawani ng gobyerno,” Lacanilao said.
As part of the investigation, the LTO ordered the police officer to personally appear before its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at its East Avenue office in Quezon City.
“Bilang bahagi ng prosesong legal, ang mga nasangkot ay inatasang dumating sa Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) ng LTO sa East Avenue, Lungsod Quezon, sa ika-29 ng Enero 2026 (Huwebes) alas-1 ng hapon, at maghain ng Verified o Sworn Comment / Explanation,” the agency said.
Pending the outcome of the probe, the vehicle involved has been placed under alarm status, while the driver’s license of the police officer has been suspended for 90 days.
The LTO reiterated that emergency vehicles, particularly fire trucks and ambulances, must be given priority at all times under existing traffic rules.
