LTO issues SCO vs. police officer blocking fire truck in viral footage

A police officer has been issued with a show cause order (SCO) following viral footage of him blocking the path of a fire truck.

According to the Land Transportation Office on Friday, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao has ordered for SCOs to be issued against the owner and driver of the vehicle involved in the incident.

The viral footage showed said vehicle blocking the way of a fire truck.

The police officer driving the vehicle was also reportedly seen making inappropriate statements against the driver of the truck.

The driver and owner of the vehicle were asked to appear before the LTO Office on January 29 to explain why they must not face charges for Obstruction and license suspensions for being an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.”

The vehicle has also been placed under alarm while the license of the driver temporarily suspended for 90 days.

Meanwhile, the LTO stressed the importance of ensuring emergency vehicles are not obstructed in any way that can compromise their duties.

“Ang mga fire truck at iba pang emergency response na sasakyan ay may kritikal na tungkulin sa pagprotekta ng buhay at ari-arian ng mga mamamayan. Ang pagharang sa kanilang daanan at paggawa ng hindi angkop na pag-uugali ay hindi lamang labag sa batas kundi labag din sa mga prinsipyo ng pagiging responsableng mamamayan at public servant kung sakaling ang nasangkot ay isang kawani ng gobyerno,” said Lacanilao.

(Fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles have a critical responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the public. Obstructing their way and exhibiting inappropriate behavior against them is not only against the law but also a violation of the principles of a responsible member of society and a public servant, since the involved is a personnel of the government.) — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News