LAND Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II fired on Sunday six LTO enforcers over extortion complaints from drivers of colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs).

“These six LTO enforcers are already under preventive suspension. I will personally monitor this case because I have also instructed the filing of administrative and criminal complaints against them,” said Mendoza.

“This should serve as a warning to all LTO enforcers. Huwag ninyong haluan ng kalokohan ang maigting na kampanya laban sa colorum na sasakyan dahil kasama kayo sa mamalasin sa akin,” he stressed.

Mendoza ordered the relief and filing of charges based on the report of the confidential agents he deployed about the illegal activities of the six LTO enforcers who allegedly demanded money from them when they posed to be drivers of colorum vehicles.

The LTO chief explained they deployed the confidential agents to ensure that the anti-colorum operations are implemented properly and with integrity.

Earlier, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista instructed Mendoza to beef up the anti-colorum operations of the agency.

Aside from the six LTO enforcers, Mendoza said their team leaders will also be included in the investigation for gross negligence in relation to command responsibility.

Mendoza then warned all LTO enforcers and other employees to do their job “with integrity.”

“There will be no strike two or strike three on this matter. If you are caught, you will immediately be relieved and will face both criminal and administrative cases.

Sisiguraduhin ko na matatanggal kayo sa sa LTO,” said Mendoza.

Mendoza did not reveal the names of the six LTO enforcers and where they are assigned, saying proper announcement would be done as soon as the investigation he ordered is done.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi