Criminal raps filed against two vloggers

CEBU CITY — What started as viral stunts, with one dressed as a snail crawling across a highway and the other dancing atop a public utility jeepney, have now landed two Cebu-based vloggers in legal trouble.

The Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas (HPG-7) filed criminal complaints against content creators "Boy Banat" and "Boss LB" for public antics that disrupted traffic flow and endangered road users.

HPG-7 chief Col. Wilbert Parilla said the agency no longer sees value in summoning violators for warnings, especially after observing that such appearances have been repurposed as content.

Instead, investigators now proceed directly to building cases if violations are evident.

"Boy Banat" had previously appeared at the HPG-7 office after donning a Son Goku costume and performing a motorcycle stunt along the Cebu Transcentral Highway in October 2024.

He apologized and assured authorities it would not happen again. Months later, however, he resurfaced in another video, but this time dancing on the roof of a moving jeepney.

Authorities said that rather than showing restraint, the content creator used his apology visit to gain more views, effectively doubling his online engagement.

"Boss LB," who goes by the moniker "Snail Man," came under fire in March after releasing footage of himself crawling slowly in a snail costume along the national highway in Consolacion town.

The stunt caused a traffic slowdown and drew thousands of reactions and shares on social media, but also widespread criticism for the risk it posed to motorists.

HPG-7 said such behavior has contributed to a rise in self-inflicted accidents, especially along the Transcentral Highway.

Many of these involve motorists attempting dangerous stunts, reportedly hoping to be featured by content creators stationed in popular spots.

In response, HPG-7 partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to install rumble strips in known stunt zones and deployed police officers during weekends to discourage risky behavior.

Parilla emphasized that the group is not against content creation itself but stressed that creators must be conscious of the risks they pose to the public.

He noted that their priority is to protect road users from harm and unnecessary inconvenience.

The local government of Balamban, which hosts a stretch of the highway frequented by vloggers and stunt riders, is reviewing further measures to address the trend.

HPG-7 has also begun monitoring social media more closely and may recommend administrative sanctions, including the suspension or cancellation of driver's licenses, for individuals engaging in similar reckless acts.