THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Monday, Feb. 2, that it will issue a show cause order to the BMW Owners’ Society of Safe Riders (BOSS), the organizer of the Boss Ironman Challenge Mindanao Cup 2026, over fatal incidents and alleged traffic violations.
The Boss Ironman Challenge Mindanao Cup 2026 was held in General Santos City from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2026.
“The action follows widespread circulation of disturbing footage and accounts of accidents on social media platforms, which caught the immediate attention of the LTO chief and enforcement teams,” LTO said.
LTO said specific traffic violations are alleged to have occurred during the event, in violation of Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), based on the reviews of viral videos and images online
The violations include overspeeding, use of unauthorized vehicle accessories and modifications, illegal blinkers, failure to stop at red lights, and disregard for road signs, including mandatory stop signs and lane markers.
LTO stressed that alleged violations contributed to serious incidents during the challenge, including multiple collisions involving both event participants and civilian vehicles.
The agency reported that one of these collisions resulted in the death of a 7-year-old child, and a separate fatal collision involving another event participant in Kibawe, Bukidnon, on Feb. 1, which is currently under investigation by local authorities.
LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) launched preliminary investigations to verify the allegations and gather additional evidence, following an initial assessment of the videos from social media.
“Once concluded, the show cause order will be formally issued to the organizers,” LTO stressed.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, emphasized that road safety is non-negotiable.
“The heartbreaking footage we saw circulating online is a stark reminder that road safety is non-negotiable – every life on our roads matters, especially the most vulnerable among us, like children. Private motor vehicle events must never come at the cost of innocent lives.
He cited that, under Republic Act No. 4136, organizers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure compliance with traffic laws and prioritize safety for all.
“We will hold accountable those responsible, and this case sends a clear message: compliance is mandatory, and safety must be at the core of all event planning and execution,” Lacanilao said.
