‘Fake’ LTFRB employee nabbed for illegal gun possession
CAMP VICENTE LIM, Calubang, Laguna – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a “bogus” employee of LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) following the confiscation of two unlicensed firearms and ammunition in Lipa City, Batangas.
P/Lt. Col. Benedick S. Poblete, CIDG provincial officer, said that the suspect pretended to be an employee of the LTFRB Regional Office in Lipa City.
Poblete said that the suspect was collared by a search warrant for a violation of RA 10591 issued by Presiding Judge Leo-Jon Ramos of Regional Trial Court, Branch 85, Lipa City, Batangas, June 30, 2022.
Confiscated were unlicensed caliber 45 pistol, caliber 38 revolver, and ammunition.
The suspect with the alias “Toto” misrepresented himself as an employee of the LTFRB regional office and “bragged” that he was a “close” friend of the chairman of the agency.
The suspect victimized operators of buses, UV (Utility Van) Express, and jeepneys with expired franchises.
He lured the victims that he can process and fix their problems of expired franchises in exchange for P250,000 per impounded vehicle.
After collecting the money, the suspect will stop communicating and go hiding.
The suspect, projecting himself as a person in authority, was often seen in possession of firearms while transacting business with the victims.
The victims immediately sought the help of CIDG Batangas PFU, who subsequently coordinated with the LTFRB Regional Office, where it was found out that the suspect is not an employee of the said agency.
Further coordination with the PNP (Philippine National Police) Firearms Explosives Division revealed that the suspect has firearms with an expired registration, thus, a search warrant application.
