Five riders face license revocation after brutal viral brawl in Batangas

• A viral video shows five motorcyclists engaging in a violent brawl in Brgy. Tambo, Lipa City, using helmets and clubs as weapons
• DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the LTO to identify the riders, labeling them "improper persons" to operate vehicles
• The investigation will look into both the physical assault and the deliberate vandalism of a motorcycle captured in the footage
• The involved riders face the permanent revocation of their driver’s licenses in addition to potential criminal charges for their actions

A violent roadside brawl involving five motorcyclists in Lipa City, Batangas, has caught the attention of national transportation officials, sparking a formal investigation that could lead to the permanent revocation of their driving privileges.

The incident, which was captured on viral video, occurred in Barangay Tambo and depicts a chaotic scene of physical assault and property damage.

The footage, which circulated widely on social media before being picked up by major news outlets on January 21, 2026, shows a brutal confrontation.

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In one segment, a man is seen being cornered and beaten by two others who were still wearing their helmets. A separate clip shows two men armed with makeshift clubs charging toward three other riders.

The aggression was not limited to physical violence against people; the video also captured one individual deliberately vandalizing a parked motorcycle.

While the specific cause of the altercation remains under investigation, the sheer intensity of the "helmet-swinging" fight has raised serious concerns regarding road rage and public safety in the province.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez expressed deep disappointment over the footage, describing the participants' behavior as "unfit for the road."

Following his review of the clips, Lopez immediately directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to identify the individuals involved.

"Nakakalungkot na may ganitong klaseng tao pa rin na talagang so violent," Secretary Lopez stated. "If they are driver’s license holders, it appears na they are not, they’re an improper person to operate a motor vehicle. Yung mga ganitong ugali, mga ganitong gawain ay dapat talaga hindi binibigyan ng lisensya.

This type of temperament has no place behind the handlebars or a steering wheel."

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The LTO investigation will focus on identifying the license plate numbers visible in the various videos to track down the registered owners.

Under Philippine transportation laws, the agency has the authority to issue show-cause orders, requiring the riders to explain their actions.

The DOTr clarified that beyond potential criminal charges for physical injuries and malicious mischief, the administrative penalties will be severe.

"Pagka sila ay sangkot sa ganitong napakabayolenteng gawain, pakikipag-away at mismong kalsada, kailangan nilang ipaliwanag. Kasi lumalabas na sila’y improper person to operate a vehicle. Yung ugali nila, kaugalian po nila. Pangalawa, pagkatapos ng pagdinig, maaaring masuspend ang kanilang licenses o ma-revoke," Lopez added, emphasizing that a driver’s license is a privilege reserved for those who can maintain composure and follow the law.

In other news, a newborn baby girl was saved after being found inside a reusable shopping bag left hanging on a bamboo gate in Iloilo. Local residents who found the infant were deeply moved when the child, despite her abandonment, looked up and smiled at them during the rescue. Santa Barbara police believe the perpetrator may be from outside the immediate village, as local records show no recent births or late-stage pregnancies in the area. The infant is currently receiving specialized care at the Western Visayas Sanitarium, where she is in stable condition while the DSWD facilitates her future protection.

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Still in other news, after experiencing weeks of severe post-pregnancy bleeding, social media personality Janica Nam Floresca was recently readmitted to the hospital for urgent medical intervention. Following a series of tests, specialists identified an unusual uterine mass that had rapidly expanded, necessitating its removal through an operative hysteroscopy. Janica revealed that even her attending physicians found the mass to be exceptionally rare; it has since been sent for biopsy to determine its nature, with results still pending. While focusing on her recovery under spinal anesthesia, the new mother expressed her profound thanks to followers for the influx of prayers and encouraging messages.

Source: KAMI.com.gh