By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have confiscated 65 right-hand drive vehicles in a raid in Talisay City, Cebu on Monday.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, and Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Ambassador Markus Lacanilao led the operation and were backed by NBI agents.
In a statement, Mendoza said the operation was based on confirmed intelligence reports of an illegal operation in an auto shop.
A female Peruvian national was held under custody after her name came out as the operator of the raided shop in Talisay City.
He said Lacanilao’s presence was the result of the involvement of foreign nationals in the illegal importation, assembly, and sale of right-hand drive motor vehicles.
“These stores appear to be all connected. That is why Ambassador Lacanilao was here with us as part of the thorough investigation into this illegal activity because there were reports that this is run by at least one foreigner,” he said.
The operation in Cebu City came after a raid in Quezon City and three auto shops in Davao City.
According to their initial investigation, the right-hand drive vehicles were imported and later assembled in the country before they were sold.
Earlier, Mendoza ordered an investigation into an LTO office in Mindanao, which was accused of having facilitated the registration of the modified, illegal right-hand drive vehicles.
“Lahat ng mga ito ay pananagutin natin base na din sa utos ng ating DOTr Secretary [Vince Dizon]. Sa ngayon, malaliman ang imbestigasyon natin para matukoy ang lahat ng taong nasa likod nito (All of them will be held accountable in line with the order of our DOTr Secretary. For now, we’re conducting a deep investigation to find everyone involved),” he said.
Republic Act 8506 prohibits the registration and operation of right-hand drive vehicles in the country.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to import, cause the importation of, register, cause the registration of, use, or operate any vehicle with its steering wheel right-hand side thereof in any highway, street or road, whether private or public or of the national or local government,” the law read. (PNA)
