SILOY IS WATCHING: LTO acts on Cebu rider’s road stunts

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A motorcycle rider who performed stunts on public roads in Cebu City has been issued a show cause order and meted with a 90-day preventive suspension of his driver’s license by the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) after videos of his acts circulated on social media and were brought to the agency’s attention.

The rider was seen in a compilation of videos submitted to CDN Digital by a concerned individual who requested anonymity. The videos showed the motorcycle being driven on the Cebu South Coastal Road and Osmeña Boulevard, with the rider performing stunts including a “wheelie,” swerving and sitting on the motorcycle seat while riding.

The concerned individual raised concerns over the stunts, which were performed on public roads, compromising the safety of other motorists and pedestrians.

Rider traced on social media

In an interview with CDN Digital, Geralgin Balatucan, chief of the LTO-7 Regional Law Enforcement Service (RLES), said the videos and complaints forwarded to the agency prompted further surveillance and investigation.

Balatucan explained that the stunt shown in the videos is known as a wheelie, in which the rider lifts the motorcycle’s front wheel while continuing to travel on only one wheel.

She said the activity is indicative of reckless driving.

“Kaning iyahang mga stunts, [are] called a wheelie. Kanang imohang i-lift ang manibela of the motorcycle, imo padaganun nga usa ra ang ligid. It is evident of the activity of reckless driving,” Balatucan said.

(His stunts are known as w wheelie. You lift the bike’s front and move forward using only the back wheel.)

According to Balatucan, further surveillance and investigation of the social media profiles forwarded to the LTO allowed authorities to verify and confirm the rider’s identity.

She also said details of the motorcycle helped authorities identify the rider.

“Upon further surveillance, further investigation sa kaning social media profile nga gi-forward sa office, na-verify and na-confirm nato ang identity,” Balatucan said.

(We confirmed the driver’s identity through further surveillance and investigation of the social media profile that was forwarded to the office.)

Show cause order served

The LTO has since served the rider with a show cause order, which Balatucan said had already been received.

The order requires the rider to explain why he should not be held administratively liable for possible violations of transportation laws and regulations.

Balatucan said those served with a show cause order typically have five days to submit a sworn explanation as to why they should not be held administratively liable.

She stressed, however, that the administrative case remains under investigation and that the LTO has yet to make a final determination of liability.

“Of course, it is under investigation, we cannot judge publicly. We cannot release the details publicly,” Balatucan said.

Balatucan added that the rider has already been brought under the jurisdiction of the LTO, which has separate jurisdiction from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

License suspended

Along with the service of the show cause order, the LTO imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the rider’s driver’s license.

Balatucan said the measure was based on the agency’s initial findings and the prima facie evidence presented to the LTO, which pointed to reckless driving.

“Dungan sa pag-serve ug show cause order ang pag-impose ug preventive suspension sa iyang license for a period of 90 days,” she said.

(The show cause order and preventive suspension were served together.)

CCTO: Stunts pose road safety risk

The Cebu City Transportation Office also weighed in on the videos.

CCTO head Raquel Arce said the motorcycle stunts shown in the videos are tantamount to reckless driving and may be reported to the LTO.

The videos show the rider performing the stunts on public roads rather than in a controlled environment.

For Arce, the issue goes beyond speed.

She pointed to acts such as performing wheelies and other exhibitions on public roads, particularly when these activities are recorded and uploaded online.

One of the videos reportedly carried the caption “midnight adrenaline.”

Arce questioned the decision to perform potentially dangerous stunts simply for content.

“Sa tinuoray lang, ang kanang gabuhat ana nga content, nagrisgo ka sa imohang kaugalingon. Usa ka ligas anang iyahang content nga gihimo, tuasik gyud na ang iyahang utok,” Arce said.

(Honestly, whoever produced the content placed himself at risk. Just a small error and he could end up with his brain splattered on the road.)

She also warned that such behavior could put other road users at risk.

Driving is a privilege

Balatucan likewise reminded motorists that road safety rules apply not only to speeding but also to dangerous acts performed while operating a vehicle.

She also criticized the practice of showcasing dangerous driving on social media, saying a driver’s license is a privilege rather than a right.

She added that the LTO would not simply stand by when a motorist’s actions put other road users at risk.

Pedestrians, motorists urged to stay alert

Balatucan also reminded pedestrians and other motorists to remain cautious even when they believe they are in a safe area.

She said road users cannot always anticipate the actions of motorists who drive recklessly or travel at unreasonable speeds.

“Amping gyud ta kay we can’t say for sure we are safe kay naa gyuy gahig ulo mag-operate sa motor vehicles recklessly,” she said.

(We should be careful because we cannot be certain of our safety; there are hardheaded persons who drive recklessly.)

For motorists who engage in dangerous stunts for social media content, Arce issued a similar warning: the risks can extend far beyond the person behind the handlebars.

“Siguroa nga equivalent ba ang imong life sa content nga imong ginahimo,” she said.

(Ask whether your content production is worth your life.)

For now, the rider’s administrative case remains under investigation. The rider has five days from receipt of the show cause order to submit a sworn explanation as to why he should not be held administratively liable.

The incident also serves as a reminder that dangerous driving on public roads does not become acceptable simply because it is performed for entertainment or social media content—and that motorists can be held accountable since such acts place other road users at risk.

READ: LTO summons content creators in viral video

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