After revoking the license of the SUV driver who allegedly ran over and abandoned a mall security guard, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) turned its sights to a group of motorcycle riders who also figured in a viral video, also cancelling their motor vehicle privileges.
Three motorcycle riders who recently went viral now have to surrender their licenses to the LTO [Image: Certified Biyahero FB page]
According to a report by dzBB Super Radyo, the riders are to surrender their licenses to the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID). They were also ordered to pay a fine of Php 13,500 each.
LTO Director Clarence Guinto ordered the revocation of three riders who were caught on video in May. The trio was seen zigzagging along a busy street in Biñan, Laguna, on their BMW R 1250 GS motorcycles without helmets and other proper riding gear. They were also riding with the sirens and blinkers installed on their bikes turned on.
The riders involved were summoned by the LTO to explain their side [Image: Motoristang Lespu YouTube channel]
The video was first seen on TikTok before eventually spreading to other platforms online. Those who called out the incident included TV host Kim Atienza and senator-elect JV Ejercito, both riding enthusiasts, saying that the group put motorcycle riders in a bad light.
Police Brigadier General Rommel Marbil, chief of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said that one of the riders had even received motorcycle safety training from the HPG. Upon the issuance of a show-cause order, the three riders appeared before the LTO to explain their side.
Apart from having illegal accessories, the motorcycles also did not have authorized license plates [Image: Certified Biyahero FB page]
The riders said that the video was filmed during a motorcade of a local politician, claiming that the ride was conducted in a controlled setting while exercising reasonable caution. They added that the sirens and blinkers were installed only for the sole purpose of the motorcade as part of the local elections.
However, the LTO disagreed, proceeding to find the trio guilty of several violations, including reckless driving, failure to wear a helmet, failure to attach authorized license plates, and operating a motor vehicle with unauthorized accessories.
See more of how the law acts against erring road users at Philkotse.com.