By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has arrested 12 individuals, including two of its own personnel from the Pasay District Office, in an entrapment operation against illegal fixing activities in Pasay City on Aug. 14.
In a statement on Monday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the two LTO officials were relieved from their posts pending administrative investigation.
The operation was carried out by the LTO Law Enforcement Service–Field Enforcement Division (LES-FED), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), including personnel from the Pasay City Police Station and Substation 8.
Lacanilao said the arrests are part of his 7-Point Reform Agenda, which seeks to rid the agency of corrupt practices and restore public trust in LTO services.
“Hindi kami magbubulag-bulagan sa ganitong gawain. Alam namin kung paano kumikilos ang mga fixer, kabilang ang mga empleyado ng LTO na maaaring nasasangkot dito, at patuloy naming palalawakin ang operasyon para matukoy ang mga taong nasa likod nito (We will not turn a blind eye to this kind of activity. We know how fixers operate, including LTO employees who may be involved, and we will continue to expand our operations to identify the people behind this),” Lacanilao said.
He added that the agency will not stop until these practices are rooted out from LTO offices.
Those arrested will undergo investigation and face appropriate charges if proven involved in illegal fixing activities.
Lacanilao said the agency will continue to strengthen its anti-fixing operations in coordination with other law enforcement agencies to hold perpetrators accountable and maintain clean and honest public service.
The public is also urged to avoid transacting with fixers and to report any suspicious activity through the official Facebook page “Ireport Mo Kay LTO Chief” or through the website https://ireportmokayltochief.ph/ for verification, investigation and immediate action. (PNA)
