LTO suspends licenses of 2 drivers for obstructing firetrucks in Makati

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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the licenses of two drivers caught in viral videos disrupting separate firetruck responses in Makati City.

Announcing the development in a press release issued Saturday, the LTO released its findings for each case following hearings conducted by its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID), pursuant to show-cause orders issued to the two motorists.

In one viral video, a driver was caught double-parking along Macabulos St. in Barangay Bangkal. The driver admitted to double-parking, explaining that his vehicle was under repair and could not be moved at the time.

"Inamin ng drayber na nakaparada ang kanyang sasakyan at nakaharang sa daanan, bagama't ipinaliwanag niyang inaayos noon ang sasakyan, nakapatong ito sa jack at natanggal ang isang gulong kaya hindi agad mailipat," LTO said.

(The driver admitted that his vehicle was parked and blocking the road, though he explained that it was being repaired at the time—mounted on a jack with one wheel removed—making it impossible to move immediately.)

The driver was found guilty of traffic obstruction and parking in prohibited specified places. He was also declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, resulting in a three-month suspension of his driver's license.

Meanwhile, the second incident in Guadalupe Nuevo showed a driver seemingly refusing to make way for a responding firetruck approaching from behind.

The driver claimed he had no intention of obstructing the firetruck and simply could not find a spot to pull over. However, LTO said footage showed otherwise.

"Gayunman, makikita sa video na may mga espasyo sa kanang bahagi ng kalsada kung saan maaari sanang pansamantalang tumabi ang drayber upang bigyang-daan ang rumerespondeng fire truck," the LTO said.

(However, the video clearly shows available space on the right side of the road where the driver could have temporarily pulled over to make way for the responding fire truck.)

The driver was found guilty of violating failure to yield right of way for police and other emergency vehicles and obstruction of traffic. He was likewise declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, resulting in a one-year suspension of his driver's license.

The driver's licenses of both individuals have been surrendered to the IID, while their vehicles remain under alarm status.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao urged the public to strictly follow traffic laws and reminded motorists to always give way to emergency vehicles.

"Paalala natin sa mga motorista na laging bigyang-daan ang mga emergency vehicle, lalo na ang mga fire truck na rumeresponde. Bawat segundo ay mahalaga dahil may mga buhay na maaaring nakasalalay sa bawat pagresponde,” Lacanilao said.

(May we remind motorists to always give way to emergency vehicles, especially responding fire trucks. Every second counts because lives may be at stake during every response.)