MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against a vlogger, a driver, and the registered owner of a vehicle involved in a viral social media video showing a gasoline station attendant chasing a moving SUV after it allegedly left without paying for fuel.

The LTO said the SCO was issued following an investigation by its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) into the incident, which involved a Toyota Land Cruiser along the Maharlika Highway in Allacapan, Cagayan.

Based on the video, a gasoline station attendant can be seen running after the vehicle while it was already in motion under intense heat. The LTO said the person who recorded the video was inside the vehicle during the incident and allegedly instructed or allowed the driver to continue driving despite the attendant’s pursuit.

The agency ordered the vlogger, the registered owner, and the driver to submit counter-affidavits explaining why they should not be held administratively liable for alleged reckless driving and why they should not be declared improper persons to operate a motor vehicle under existing laws.

The driver has been required to surrender his license and is now under a 90-day preventive suspension, while the vehicle has been placed under alarm status.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao condemned the incident, saying such behavior has no place on the road, even if done for online content.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na gawing biro o content ang isang sitwasyong malinaw na naglalagay sa kapwa sa panganib. Lalo na sa panahong nararanasan natin ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, ang ganitong uri ng asal ay hindi lamang iresponsable, kundi nagpapakita rin ng kawalan ng malasakit,” Lacanilao said.

“Hindi ito nakakatuwa, at lalong hindi ito dapat tularan. Ang paggamit ng sasakyan ay may kaakibat na pananagutan, at pananagutan ding gamitin ito nang may paggalang sa kapwa at sa batas,” he added.

The LTO reminded the public that vehicles must not be used for irresponsible, abusive, or exploitative acts, regardless of whether they are intended for entertainment or social media content.