LTO issues SCO to knife-wielding motorist

Local

THE Land Transportation Office- Central Visayas (LTO-7) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the registered owner and designated driver of a vehicle involved in a viral road-rage incident in Cebu City.

The driver’s license of the motorists has been placed under preventive suspension and the vehicle under alarm.

In a press release on Monday, Sept. 21, LTO-7 said the administrative action stemmed from a video circulating on social media that showed a motorist allegedly attempting several times to stab another motorist with a bladed weapon during a road-rage confrontation.

The agency did not identify the individuals involved in its statement.

LTO-7 ordered the registered owner and designated driver to appear before its Operations Division and submit a sworn comment or explanation, together with relevant documents and evidence, within five days from receipt of the SCO.

The driver was also ordered to surrender the driver’s license, which was placed under preventive suspension pending the administrative proceedings.

The vehicle involved was placed under alarm while the investigation continues.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) separately confirmed that a traffic altercation involving two motorists occurred along Escario Street at around 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), said Police Station 2 personnel responded to the incident after receiving a report of the altercation.

According to Pelare, the two parties involved had already settled the matter at the police station.

However, he said the CCPO continued its investigation to determine whether the incident may have involved possible criminal violations.

“Bisan og na-settle na sila, kay pwede man naay criminal implications nga pwedeng ikonsidera,” Pelare said.

He said police would assess the available evidence and obtain statements from witnesses before determining whether criminal charges could be filed.

The incident involved a pickup and a motorcycle, based on the initial police report. Pelare said the confrontation reportedly began after the pickup attempted to overtake the motorcycle, leading to an alleged misunderstanding.

The confrontation was later captured on video and circulated online.

Asked about the presence of a knife in the video, Pelare said police were also examining whether the object shown was indeed a bladed weapon.

He said possible charges would depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation, citing alarm and scandal as one possible criminal offense that authorities could consider if supported by the evidence.

The police inquiry into possible criminal liability is separate from the administrative proceedings being pursued by the LTO-7.

Pelare said the LTO action would provide an administrative process through which the motorists could explain their actions and establish accountability for any traffic or motor vehicle violations.

A show cause order does not by itself establish that a respondent is guilty of the alleged violations. Instead, it requires the concerned parties to explain their side and submit supporting evidence before the agency determines what administrative action, if any, should follow.

LTO-7 said the administrative investigation will cover the circumstances surrounding the viral incident. Its initial investigation also found that the respondent had allegedly been involved in another road-rage incident the previous week, which would likewise be examined as part of the proceedings.

The agency reminded motorists to exercise discipline, caution, and respect toward other road users, particularly during traffic disputes.

Pelare likewise urged motorists to remain calm when confronted with traffic accidents or misunderstandings on the road.

“Let us remain focused, let us remain mahinahon, cool, and composed,” Pelare said.(TGP)