LTO-NIR serves order in Bacolod gas-and-run

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region served a show cause order Tuesday on the owner of a vehicle linked to a viral video showing a driver allegedly leaving a gas station in Barangay Mansilingan without paying for fuel.

A report from Police Station 7 said the sports utility vehicle loaded PHP 500 worth of unleaded fuel at about 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 27 before speeding away without paying.

The incident, captured on closed-circuit television, was reported by the gas station’s training manager to authorities the following day.

In a media interview, one staff member appealed for fairness, especially as consumers face rising fuel costs tied to tensions in the Middle East.

“Pangabuhi lang ta patas para may ibulig ta sa pamilya ta,” he said.

LTO-NIR Director Jeck Conlu said the office immediately issued the show cause order after the video recently circulated online and reached the agency’s attention.

The LTO-NIR Intelligence and Investigation Unit delivered the order to the residence of the registered owner in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental, where a family member received it in her absence.

Personnel later explained the contents of the order by phone, Conlu said.

Conlu said the agency was surprised by the incident because it had not initially been aware of the viral video.

He said the registered owner must determine who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Conlu said the owner has five working days to submit a written reply or appear at the LTO-NIR office.

He added that a separate show cause order will be issued once the driver is identified.

Conlu said the office will assess possible violations and other offenses for administrative liability.

He said any criminal complaint will depend on the gas station.

The agency said it is committed to investigating viral incidents and ensuring accountability.