By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday said it has summoned the vlogger, driver and registered owner of a sports utility vehicle involved in a prank that made a gas station attendant chase after them.
In the video, the vlogger can be heard laughing and ordering his driver to flee from the gas station without paying for their fuel, while the attendant chased them on foot.
In a statement, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said a show cause order (SCO) was issued to all three persons involved in the incident along Maharlika Highway in Allacapan, Cagayan.
The driver in the video was ordered to surrender his or her license, which is temporarily suspended for 90 days, while the vehicle was placed under alarm while the case is being investigated.
“Ang indibidwal na nag-record ng video ay sakay ng sasakyan sa oras ng insidente at umano’y nag-utos o hinayaan ang driver na ipagpatuloy ang pagmamaneho habang hinahabol ng attendant ang sasakyan sa ilalim ng matinding init at sikat ng araw (The person who recorded the video was aboard the vehicle at the time of the incident and ordered the driver to keep driving while they were being chased by the gas station attendant under extreme heat),” Lacanilao said.
The LTO ordered the individuals to explain why they should not face administrative sanctions for reckless driving and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
The administrative violations can result in license suspensions of three months to a year or license revocation for two years up to permanent revocation.
“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 (This kind of prank or content is not acceptable. It is a situation that placed another person in danger. Especially at a time when we’re experiencing rising fuel prices, this behavior is not only irresponsible, but also shows a lack of empathy),” Lacanilao said.
He said such behavior has no place on the road and such prank should not be done just to create social media content.
“Hindi ito nakakatuwa at lalong hindi ito dapat tularan. Ang paggamit ng sasakyan ay may kaakibat na pananagutan at pananagutan din gamitin ito ng may paggalang sa kapwa at sa batas (This is not funny nor should it be emulated. Using a motor vehicle comes with responsibilities, and it should be used with respect to others and the law),” he said.
The original video was posted but has since been taken down by HF Florida, the Facebook page of former Allacapan Mayor Harry Florida. (PNA)
