MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has apprehended nine persons in its renewed crackdown against fixers and scammers.
In a statement Thursday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the latest move against these fixers and scammers are meant to improve the agency's image tarnished by the so-called “palakasan” system.
“Itong mga taong ito does not help our image. Sinisira nila ‘yong integridad, 'yong ating imahe sa publiko (These individuals do not help our image. They damage our integrity, our image to the public),” Mendoza said.
Those arrested were identified as Alberth Santos, 31; Archie Sesbreño, 48; Vicente Pinon III, 42; Melvin Reoloso, 39; Markley Naloste, 44; Jeffrey Balsote, 39; Richard Bando, 41; Dexter Tequin, 26; and Ovito Medallo, 57.
They were arrested in an operation in Novaliches, Quezon City.
“We really have to make changes within with the help of our partners and stakeholders,” he said in a mixture of English and Filipino.
These partners, he said, include LTO suppliers and those involved in its online registration system.
“If we are to project an image of a new LTO, it has to extend not only to ourselves but also to the people dealing with us,” he said.
The crackdown came after a certain Peejay Giganto Durano of Muntinlupa City was arrested on July 31 for claiming to be a liaison officer from the Office of the President and demanded PHP505,000 from a businessman to help the latter register his motor vehicles with the LTO.
Durano would be charged with violation of Article 315 or large-scale estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Article 177 or the Usurpation of Authority or Official Function, and Article 172 or the Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document of the Revised Penal Code. (PNA)
