The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas has summoned the motorists involved in a viral road-rage confrontation along Escario Street in Cebu City after a video showed a driver allegedly brandishing a bladed weapon during the altercation.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. on September 20 along Escario Street in Barangay Kamputhaw. Police from Abellana Police Station 2 responded after receiving a report about a confrontation between a motorcycle rider and a pickup truck driver.
According to the initial police investigation, the confrontation reportedly began after the pickup driver attempted to overtake the motorcycle. The situation escalated after the pickup driver got out of the vehicle and allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab the motorcycle rider.
A video of the confrontation later circulated widely on social media, showing the two motorists arguing in the middle of the road while other motorists attempted to intervene by honking their vehicles and telling them to stop.
Police said the two parties eventually reached an amicable settlement. However, Cebu City Police Office Deputy City Director for Operations Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare stressed that the settlement does not automatically end the investigation.
Authorities are examining whether criminal violations were committed, with alarm and scandal among the possible offenses being considered depending on the evidence gathered. Police are also verifying whether the object seen in the viral video was actually a knife or another bladed weapon.
The LTO-7 has separately initiated administrative proceedings.
Regional Director Wendel Dinglasan issued a show-cause order requiring the registered owner and designated driver of the Mitsubishi Triton allegedly involved in the incident to appear before the LTO-7 Operations Division and submit a sworn explanation with relevant documents and evidence.
The respondents were given five days from receipt of the order to explain why they should not face administrative sanctions.
The involved driver’s license was also placed under preventive suspension, while the vehicle was placed under alarm pending the outcome of the administrative investigation. The LTO action is separate from the police investigation into possible criminal liability.
The administrative case centers on whether the driver’s conduct makes him an “improper person to operate a motor vehicle” under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as amended.
A show-cause order, however, is not itself a finding of guilt. It gives the respondent an opportunity to explain the circumstances and submit evidence before the LTO determines what administrative action should follow.
The incident has drawn renewed attention to road-rage behavior and the potential consequences of allowing traffic disputes to escalate into physical confrontations.
Police officials have urged motorists to remain calm during road disputes and avoid confrontations that could endanger other road users.
With both the police and LTO pursuing separate proceedings, the viral Escario incident could now result in consequences beyond the roadside settlement as authorities determine whether the available video, witness accounts and other evidence support criminal or administrative charges.
