Dump truck drivers allegedly under the employ of an LGU harass firemen at emergency site
- Government dump trucks in Tanza, Cavite, allegedly refused to yield to a responding fire engine, sparking a high-speed chase to the fire site
- The truck drivers reportedly confronted firefighters at the emergency scene, claiming they were protected by the local mayor's office
- The incident, captured on viral video, caused a dangerous delay in fire response as firefighters were forced to de-escalate the verbal attack
- Local authorities are facing pressure to penalize the drivers for violating laws that grant emergency vehicles the absolute right of way
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A tense confrontation erupted in Tanza, Cavite, on January 27, 2026, after a convoy of government-owned dump trucks allegedly blocked a fire engine rushing to an active emergency.
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The incident, which was partially captured on video and has since gone viral, escalated when the truck drivers reportedly harassed the firefighters at the scene of the blaze.
The friction began along a main thoroughfare in Tanza when a fire truck, with sirens blaring and lights flashing, attempted to navigate through traffic to reach a fire scene.
Witnesses reported that two large dump trucks, reportedly belonging to the local government unit, refused to yield or pull over to the side of the road.
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Despite the obstruction, the fire truck driver managed to find a narrow opening and successfully overtook the heavy vehicles.
However, instead of allowing the emergency responders to proceed, the dump truck drivers allegedly took offense at being bypassed.
They reportedly gave chase, racing after the fire engine until both parties arrived at the location of the fire call.
Upon arrival at the fire scene, the situation turned from a traffic dispute into a heated verbal altercation.
Video footage and eyewitness accounts describe the dump truck driver exiting his vehicle and aggressively pointing his finger at the firefighters, who were attempting to deploy their hoses.
During the exchange, the truck driver reportedly boasted of his connections, repeatedly shouting that they were "under the mayor" (bata ni mayor) to intimidate the volunteer responders.
The confrontation caused a brief but critical delay in the firefighters' initial setup, as they had to manage the aggressive driver while simultaneously preparing to combat the flames.
The standoff eventually de-escalated after other responders and bystanders intervened, prompting the dump truck drivers to leave the area.
While no physical injuries were reported from the altercation, the incident has sparked significant backlash online, with netizens calling for the Tanza municipal government to investigate the conduct of their employees.
Under Philippine law, specifically Presidential Decree No. 612 and the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, emergency vehicles like fire trucks have the absolute right of way.
Obstructing such vehicles is not only a traffic violation but also a threat to public safety. Local authorities have yet to issue a formal statement regarding whether administrative charges will be filed against the drivers involved.
In other news, a man surrendered to authorities in Sto. Tomas on Sunday, admitting to the fatal stabbing of an acquaintance in Barangay Balelleng. The suspect claimed his actions were a desperate response to three separate instances where the deceased allegedly subjected him to forced physical violations. A sibling found the victim’s body on Sunday morning with a lethal throat injury, leading to the police recovery of the weapon used in the encounter. While h0micide charges have been initiated, police are currently validating the suspect’s claims of prior victimization to establish the full context of the crime.
Still in other news, two men wanted for 26 counts of serious felony charges since 2010 were finally apprehended by Angeles City police on Wednesday. Tracker teams located the suspects at a construction project in Barangay Cuayan, where they had allegedly been working to hide their identities for years. The duo had been evading justice based on 16-year-old arrest warrants that carried a no-bail recommendation due to the gravity of the accusations. The suspects are currently detained at the Angeles City Police Station 5 as the judicial system prepares to resume a legal process that has been stalled since 2010.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
