EARLIER this week, a black Volkswagen Jetta was caught on video driving along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City while using unauthorized blinkers and a siren, forcing other vehicles to give way. The car also displayed diplomatic-style license plates, creating the impression that it was an official or privileged vehicle.
The incident sparked outrage among motorists and netizens who questioned whether the vehicle was impersonating a diplomat or abusing a perceived special status to cut through traffic. The video clip spread rapidly online, fueled by motorists’ frustration over individuals who appear to be above the law.
The growing social media outrage brought the issue into the public eye, prompting the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to step in, identify the vehicle and initiate enforcement action.
On Jan. 12, 2026, the LTO issued a show-cause order to the “owner and driver” of the black Volkswagen Jetta after the video went viral online. According to LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, pretending to be a diplomat and misusing signal devices is not only illegal but also threatens the safety and order of all road users.
Lacanilao did not name the registered owner or driver involved, referring to them only as “owner and driver.” This apparent “cover-up” of the culprits’ identities prompted netizens to dig deeper and conduct their own sleuthing.
Previous violations
It appears that as early as April 2025, a video clip of allegedly the same driver was posted on Visor, accumulating more than 5 million views. At that time, the young driver was involved in a road rage incident and was sporting a Protocol No. 8 plate on another vehicle. According to netizens, this individual had been using different protocol plates — 8, 9 and 10.
On Nov. 24, 2025, the same black Volkswagen Jetta was spotted using an “ADB” (Asian Development Bank) plate and was observed driving arrogantly and recklessly.
There were allegations that this person was using a fake driver’s license under the name “Joe Quing” (as in “joking”). Online chatter suggested that this individual is a student at an exclusive Catholic school in Manila and the son of a police officer with a similar-sounding name.
Possible violations
Presidential Decree 96 (1973) is the foundational law prohibiting the use of any siren, bell, horn, whistle, including dome lights, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices, with certain exceptions, on motor vehicles designated for official use by for the military, law enforcement, ambulances and tow trucks.
Section 43 of the Land Transportation Code, Republic Act 4136, prohibits the use of such devices. Under the current dispensation, Administrative Order 18 (Series of 2024) reiterates the ban for government officials and personnel to prevent traffic disruption, except for emergency use.
Violators can face administrative fines and confiscation of illegal devices. These violations can lead to fines and the cancellation or revocation of a vehicle’s certificate of registration, requiring removal of the devices for subsequent registration transactions.
The LTO and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Highway Patrol Group are supposed to actively enforce these rules, which more often than not they fail to accomplish.
Internal reforms and cleansing at the LTO
Based on the scenario of fake driver’s licenses being issued, the LTO would need to implement internal reforms and cleansing measures immediately to prevent a repeat of the incident.
The LTO needs to strengthen its licensing system with enhanced biometric verification, making it nearly impossible to create spurious identities. All license applications should require multiple points of verification including fingerprints, facial recognition and cross-referencing with other government databases. The agency should implement a centralized, tamper-proof digital system that creates an audit trail for every transaction, showing who processed each application and when.
Regular random audits of licensing transactions should become standard practice, with special attention to licenses issued to individuals with privileged connections. The LTO should establish an independent internal affairs unit with authority to investigate corruption without interference from regular management.
The LTO should make license verification publicly accessible online, allowing anyone to verify whether a license is legitimate. Regular public reports on disciplinary actions taken against corrupt employees would demonstrate the agency’s commitment to reform.
PNP reforms needed
If the father is indeed a police officer, the PNP must immediately investigate whether he used his position to facilitate the fake license, protocol plates, or shield his son from consequences. The officer should be suspended pending investigation and face administrative or criminal charges if complicity is proven. The PNP needs to establish clear policies holding officers accountable when immediate family members abuse their association with law enforcement, including a “family conduct clause,” where officers face discipline if relatives misuse police connections to evade the law.
Beyond individual accountability, the PNP requires cultural and institutional reform. The agency must reinforce that being a police officer’s family member grants no immunity, conduct integrity training emphasizing that protecting misbehaving relatives damages public trust and publicly disclose disciplinary actions to demonstrate no one is above the law. The core message must be clear — any officer who enables, protects, or fails to address family misconduct will face serious repercussions, upholding both the rule of law and the integrity of the police force.
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