Tugade hauls to jail 5 LTO fixers
FIVE “fixers” fell into an entrapment conducted by a joint team from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at the Novaliches District Office.
LTO chief Jay Art Tugade led the operation where he personally witnessed how the services were offered to potential clients.
The “fixers” were caught in the act while making transactions with operatives who posed as applicants for student permits.
After the arrest, Tugade warned the head of the LTO Novaliches District Office of his liability for the proliferation of “fixers” outside his office and that he could be liable for administrative and criminal charges if he is proven to be cahoots with the “facilitators.”
Tugade also warned the public against patronizing the services of “fixers” saying it would be better to report instead their illegal activities to the authorities.
He said applicants of driver’s license and vehicle registration should never resort to “shortcuts” as they are dealing with lives that will be in great danger if appropriate process is not followed.
“May ilan po tayong kababayan na pumapayag sa alok ng fixer at nagbabayad ng P10,500 para sa student permit pero hindi dumaan sa mga training at walang alam kahit sa mga simpleng panuntunan at batas-trapiko. Napaka-delikado sa aksidente at buwis-buhay ang ganitong uri ng shortcut na dapat po nating iwasan at sawatahin, the LTO chief pointed out.
Meanwhile, he assured that measures to fully digitalize the agency and its services are continuously being implemented to make the transaction more efficient and convenient for the public.
The suspects arrested were charged with violation of RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
