Internet Stunned By Philippine Mayor's Vehicle That Survived a Direct RPG Attack: 'What In The GTA Is That Car?'

Social media users are reeling after footage emerged of a Philippine mayor's vehicle withstanding a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade.

The sheer resilience of the modified transport has sparked a wave of disbelief and viral comparisons to high-stakes video games. Many onlookers are left wondering how such a machine could even exist outside a virtual world.

A local leader in the Philippines recently cheated death following what authorities describe as an ambush by a group of armed attackers using a rocket launcher.

During a media briefing on Monday, 26 Jan, Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, who walked away from the strike, requested an immediate increase in his protection team. 'I didn't think they would use a gun that large. An RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) is not something an ordinary person uses. This was professional,' he said, according to news.com.au.

The Moment of Impact

The widely shared CCTV clip captures a figure lurking behind a grey van near a petrol station. As Ampatuan's black Toyota SUV pulls into the forecourt, the individual aims a shoulder-fired weapon and sends an anti-tank round slamming into the vehicle.

As the anti-tank round fires, a second individual wearing a red top begins spraying the official's vehicle with automatic gunfire. The footage captures the moment the projectile strikes the SUV, which speeds off through a cloud of smoke trailing from its rear bumper.

Reports from Minda News, a local outlet, indicate that the blast wounded two of the mayor's guards seated within the vehicle. While three individuals believed to be involved in the strike lost their lives, a fourth member of the group managed to escape and remains the subject of a manhunt.

Speaking to news.com.au, Philippine National Police spokesperson Randulf Tuaño identified the gang's ringleader as 'Raprap'. He noted that the team consisted of the leader's relatives, including an uncle and a cousin, while a sibling acted as the getaway driver and is currently missing. 'The first angle we are looking at is local tension related to local politics, which may have resulted in the hiring of gunmen-for-hire,' Tuaño explained.

A History of Targeted Attacks

The same publication notes that Ampatuan is no stranger to such violence, having survived multiple previous attempts on his life. His ordeal began with a roadside explosion in 2010, followed by two more targeted ambushes that took place in 2014 and 2019.

Beyond the political fallout, the clip's shocking nature has captured a global audience, triggering a wave of astonishment after NBC News shared it on TikTok. Users on the platform were left in disbelief, struggling to process the cinematic intensity of the real-world assault.

'What In The GTA Is That Car?'

Shooting an RPG in flip flops is crazy work,' one person noted, drawing attention to the gunman's casual attire. Another user, clearly stunned by the footage, questioned both how the official walked away and the ease with which such a weapon was obtained, asking, '1. How did he survive 2? HOW did bro acquire an RPG😭😭😭'.

The SUV's extraordinary durability became the main talking point, with many users convinced they were watching a video game come to life. 'That is straight out of a GTA online lobby bro what is goin on in the Philippines 😭😭😭,' one person joked, while another suggested the vehicle must have had 'maxed out los santos customs armour upgrades.' The spectacle felt so surreal that one viewer even questioned the authenticity of the clip, claiming it was 'definitely ai cause RPGs are from fortnight.'

Defying the Laws of Physics

The sheer physics of the encounter left the comment section reeling, particularly regarding how the vehicle withstood the blast. 'Can we talk. About how that car tanked that rpg shot,' one user asked, as another echoed the sentiment, wondering 'how the car took 0 damage.' Despite some claims that 'the Land Cruiser wasn't even armored,' others were desperate for the contact details of the mechanics involved, stating, 'i NEED to know what company armored that land cruiser.'

Whether viewed as a miracle of engineering or a chilling example of political volatility, the footage remains a stark reminder of the mayor's narrow escape. As the investigation into the attackers continues, the internet remains fixated on the vehicle that seemingly defied the laws of physics. It is a rare moment where the reality of a high-stakes ambush proves to be every bit as surreal as the video games it inspired.