MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will soon crack down on fixers operating near its offices as part of its fight against corruption both within and outside the agency.
In an interview over Radyo 630 on Monday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said all directors in LTO regional offices have been invited to attend a conference next week and will discuss the issue of fixers near its offices, among other things.
“Kung hindi niyo linisin yan, eh papalitan namin kayo, sa ibang taong pwedeng maglinis niyan (If you can’t clean it, we’re going to replace you. Other people can do it),” Mendoza said.
He said these fixers, or individuals who offer LTO services for a fee, are still commonly found and frequently accost those who come to the LTO for its services.
“Ang responsibilidad po nila ay ika-klaro po natin. It stretches outside the office. Kailangan hindi pwedeng pabayaan lang nila lumago yung mga ganyang klaseng kalakaran (We are going to clarify that their responsibility stretches outside the office. They can’t just turn a blind eye on such business),” he said.
He said mystery applicants will be sent to LTO offices to investigate the involvement of their personnel with such illegal activities.
“Ang ita-target natin yung mga tao sa loob. Yung mga ayaw pa huminto, sinabihan na natin (We are aiming for those on the inside. Those who refuse to stop even when we already told them to),” he said.
He also announced LTO’s heightened partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Anti-Cybercrime Group to catch online scammers and fixers.
Online fixers, Mendoza said, offer assistance for LTO services such as license or vehicle registration and renewal but are often just making money off victims without providing any help.
“Hindi titigil ang LTO at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno hangga’t hindi nahuhuli ang mga gaya ninyo na nananamantala lamang ng kapwa (The LTO and other government agencies won’t stop until we’ve caught these individuals who take advantage of others). We are determined to put you behind bars,” he said.
He warned the public that fixers who simply ask for a photo and personal details for renewal or registration services are scammers since the LTO requires applicants to have their picture and biometrics taken personally.
“Kapag may nagsabi po sa inyo na no appearance, imposible iyon (If somebody said no appearance, that’s impossible). Don't be fooled by these online scammers,” he said. (PNA)
