Road rage incidents in Rizal and Cebu highlight dangers of road conflicts

Several road rage incidents in Rizal and Cebu City recently involved physical violence, one even involving an eight-year-old girl who was injured after an object was thrown into the tricycle she was riding.

In Rizal, the child was reportedly hit in the head after her mother got into an argument with a motorcycle rider at a tricycle terminal.

In Cebu City, separate incidents involved a pickup driver allegedly chasing a motorcycle passenger with a knife and a group of motorcycle riders attacking another rider.

According to “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the incidents highlight how arguments on the road can escalate, with authorities and experts discussing the possible legal, physical, and psychological consequences of such confrontations.

Girl injured after being hit by object

On September 21, Analyn and her eight-year-old daughter, ‘Joyce’, were on their way home in Rizal when they got into an argument with a motorcycle rider at a tricycle terminal.

Analyn said the motorcycle was blocking the tricycle they were about to ride. She said her daughter politely asked the rider to move, but the man responded angrily.

The argument ended when Analyn and her daughter boarded the tricycle. However, she said the motorcycle rider and his female companion followed them.

Analyn said the pair continued recording and shouting at them before an object was thrown into their tricycle.

The object hit Joyce in the head, causing a wound that required three stitches. A doctor said ‘Joyce’ suffered a three-centimeter lacerated wound on the right side of her forehead.

A psychologist who assessed ‘Joyce’ said she showed anxiety and hyperarousal, as well as behavioral changes after the incident. The psychologist said returning to a regular routine, including going back to school, may help reduce the child's trauma.

Police identify motorcycle rider

Police identified the motorcycle rider as Jayvee Aduque, an alleged online seller of motorcycle spare parts. His passenger was identified as his partner, Shyrie Recto Morta.

KMJS went to their rented home in Antipolo to seek their side, but the two were not there. Their landlord said their belongings were still at the property.

A barangay official said Aduque and Morta had no record in their barangay, while police said the two had indicated that they would surrender but had not appeared at the station.

Police said Aduque may face a physical injury complaint over the incident involving Joyce. Depending on the classification of the injury, the possible penalties range from days to years of imprisonment.

Police also said the motorcycle was not registered under Aduque's name. A show-cause order was issued to the rider and the registered owner.

Authorities also cited alleged traffic violations involving the motorcycle, including reckless driving, not wearing a standard helmet, and not having the required side mirrors.

Police said these violations could result in a 90-day suspension.

Analyn said she plans to pursue the case and offered a P10,000 reward for information that could lead to the suspect's arrest.

Other road rage incidents in Cebu

Another road rage incident happened in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, where a pickup truck driver was seen arguing with a motorcycle passenger before allegedly chasing him with a knife.

The Land Transportation Office Region 7 said the incident started after the pickup driver and a motorcycle taxi crossed paths.

According to the LTO, the pickup driver became angry after the motorcycle taxi allegedly cut him off. The driver later confronted the passenger, and the two argued.

The two sides later settled the matter at the barangay, and the case did not reach the police station. Both the motorcycle rider and the complainant declined to be interviewed.

The pickup driver, “James,” also declined an interview.

The LTO said James had been involved in another road incident on August 5, in the same area in Cebu City. A motorcycle rider identified as “Mark” said that James punched him twice after he overtook the pickup.

“Nag-overtake po ako. Tapos, nagalit siya nu’ng nag-overtake ako. Nakipagsagutan ako. Sobrang galit niya, sinuntok ako.” Mark said, adding that James later apologized and the two were discussing a settlement.

["I overtook him. Then he got angry when I did. I argued back. He was so furious that he hit me twice.”]

The LTO said a show-cause order had also been prepared in connection with the incident.

Motorcycle riders settle another Cebu dispute

Another road incident occurred in Barangay Malubog, Cebu City, where a group of motorcycle riders was seen attacking another rider.

The victim, Christopher, said he was traveling home on September 20 when he encountered the group. He said one motorcycle suddenly braked in front of him and another motorcycle hit him from behind, causing him to fall.

Christopher said he was punched after he got back on his motorcycle. He later lost consciousness during the confrontation.

The two sides later met at city hall and settled the dispute, according to Christopher.

“Humingi na sila ng tawad kahapon sa city hall namin. Naramdaman ko rin naman na totoo ‘yung paghihingi nila ng tawad kaya pinatawad ko na,” he said.

["They already apologized yesterday at our city hall. I felt that their apology was sincere, so I forgave them.”]

The group involved declined to comment, saying their lawyer advised them not to issue a statement because the matter had already been settled.

LTO: Some road rage incidents go unreported

LTO Region 7 said road rage incidents have become frequent, although many cases do not reach authorities or go viral online.

“We have at least one incident of road rage this month. Almost daily. Some of them go unreported. ‘Yan ‘yung problema. Hindi na reported. When you say kasi road rage, ‘yan na ‘yung dadaanan, sasampalin ‘yung side mirror, tapos tatakbo. That's already road rage. That is happening almost on a daily basis. However, very few lang ‘yung nagiging viral.”

["We have at least one road rage incident this month, in fact almost daily. Some of them go unreported, and that’s the problem. They aren't being reported anymore. Because when you talk about road rage, that includes someone passing by, hitting your side mirror, and driving off. That's already road rage, and it's happening almost on a daily basis. However, very few of those incidents actually go viral.”]

The 2016 killing of cyclist Mark Garalde by Army reservist Vhon Tanto was one of the country's most widely discussed road rage cases. Tanto was convicted of murder in 2019, three years after the incident. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay around P1.3 million in damages.

Garalde's family continues to keep the bicycle he was using when he was killed. A “ghost bike” installed by fellow cyclists as a memorial was removed in 2022.

His mother, Marilou, said she was grateful that the case resulted in a conviction.

Road rage cases and driver's license penalties

The LTO said road rage cases accounted for 26% of its cases beginning October 25, 2025, although the figure has since declined.

The agency said around 600 drivers have had their licenses suspended and more than 800 have had their licenses revoked over road rage incidents since October 2025.

The LTO urged motorists to avoid confrontations and remain calm while driving.

“Iwasan nila ang road rage. Marami na namatay sa road rage. Hindi perpekto ang kalye, maraming nangyayari, maging mahinahon tayo parati. Isipin natin ‘yung pamilya natin at trabaho natin. Umiwas tayo sa gulo.”

["They should avoid road rage. A lot of people have already died from road rage. The roads aren't perfect, and a lot of things can happen, so let's always stay calm. Let's think about our families and our jobs. Let's stay out of trouble."] —JCB, GMA News