CEBU CITY – Charges were filed against two vloggers who pulled off stunts for their social media content but caused public inconvenience and threatened public safety in Cebu province.
The Highway Patrol Group-Central Visayas (HPG-7) filed charges for alarm and scandal and unjust vexation against the two vloggers known as "Boy Banat" and Snailman."
Boy Banat was the man who climbed the roof of a public utility vehicle which stopped due to traffic. Boy Banat then danced while atop the vehicle's roof.
Snailman was the man who drew flak after he crawled in the middle of a busy road in Consolacion town, northern Cebu. The man crawled slowly, mimicking a snail that caused traffic snarl in the area.
The local government of Consolacion has also filed separate charges against Snailman, said Police Col. Wilbert Parilla, chief of HPG-7.
Boy Banat was the same person who was invited by the HPG-7 for questioning after he and another vlogger pulled off stunts at Trans Central Highway here.
Parilla said they chose to forgive Boy Banat that time until the vlogger pulled off another antic.
He said Boy Banat and Snailman were no longer summoned to the HPG-7 office after their antics last month.
The HPG-7 instead filed charges against the two right away instead of issuing warnings, Parilla said.
"This should serve as a warning to all. When we see violations, we will just simply conduct investigation and if evidence warrant for a filing of a criminal offense, then we will immediately file cases. We will no longer issue reprimands," Parilla said.
The charges against the two vloggers were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.
The Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board may also impose administrative sanctions against the licenses of the two vloggers, Parilla said.