Police Officer Blocks Fire Truck
A police officer is under investigation for allegedly blocking a fire truck, an incident that quickly went viral online.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said the officer, driving a Toyota Vios, intentionally stopped in front of the fire truck, preventing it from moving, and reportedly made inappropriate remarks to the firefighters. The reason behind his actions has not been disclosed.
In a statement on LTO’s official Facebook page on January 23, 2026, the agency said this behavior is unacceptable. The officer not only blocked an emergency vehicle but also spoke disrespectfully to its driver, which is both dangerous and improper.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao stressed that obstructing traffic and acting inappropriately is not only against the law—it also goes against the principles of responsible citizenship and public service. If the officer involved is a government employee, such actions are even more troubling because they erode public trust.
The LTO has ordered the officer to appear at its Intelligence and Investigation Division in Quezon City on January 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM to submit a sworn explanation of his actions. Meanwhile, his vehicle has been placed on alarm status, and his driver’s license has been temporarily suspended for 90 days while the investigation is ongoing.
Previously, fire response operations in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, were delayed after a motorcycle blocked a fire truck responding to an emergency on January 15, 2026. A video that went viral showed the truck repeatedly honking and trying to move forward while the motorcycle remained in its path, raising concerns about public safety. The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region later identified the rider, who reportedly was not the motorcycle’s registered owner and did not have a valid license. LTO issued show-cause orders to both the rider and the owner as part of the investigation, emphasizing that obstructing emergency vehicles can endanger lives and property.