The Land Transportation Office (LTO) arrested 12 alleged fixers during an entrapment operation at its main office along East Avenue in Quezon City on Monday.
The STAR reported that the suspects offered services to their clients such as passing the written and driver’s license exams in exchange for a sum.
“They approach LTO clients and act as if they belong to an LTO help desk or a part of the agency,” Guinto said.
The “blitzkrieg operation” was conducted after the agency received reports of the fixers’ activities at the LTO Central Office, according to LTO Law Enforcement Service Clarence Guinto. With the assistance of the Quezon City Police District, several tarpaulins were confiscated from the fixers.
The suspects are facing charges such as violations for the Anti-Red Tape Law, usurpation of authority, and the Quezon City Anti-Fixing Ordinance.
Guinto said that the agency will conduct further investigation to identify the suspects’ contacts inside the LTO.
“To our clients, please do not patronize these fixers posing as LTO employees. They will not facilitate the processing of your transaction. They will only give you trouble eventually,” Guinot added.
The official urged the public to refrain from dealing with fixers and, instead, transact directly with the LTO personnel. – With Romina Cabrera