A black sedan that got in the way of a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) truck rushing to an emergency has landed both its driver and registered owner under investigation by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The two now face allegations of Parking in Prohibited Places and Obstruction of Traffic, and have been directed to appear at the LTO Central Office on September 18. There, before the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID), they must turn over sworn statements and any records that back their account of what happened.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao ordered the pair identified and served with the Show Cause Order after footage of the incident reached his office. The clip, first posted to the Facebook page “Pulse PH,” shows the sedan double-parked along a narrow stretch of road. As the fire truck attempted to squeeze past, it clipped the door of the parked vehicle, holding up its response.
While the case proceeds, the driver has been told to surrender his license immediately, which will be placed under a 90-day preventive suspension. The sedan itself has been flagged with alarm status.
Lacanilao framed the penalties around the stakes for emergency crews. “Bawat segundo ay mahalaga para sa ating mga fire officers. Hindi dapat maging dahilan ang anumang paglabag o kapabayaan sa kalsada upang maantala ang kanilang pagresponde,” he said.
The agency renewed its appeal for disciplined road use, urging motorists to steer clear of illegal or dangerous parking that could box in emergency vehicles and endanger lives.
Should the driver be found an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, the LTO may cancel his license outright.
