LTO HQ sends 35 enforcers to Cebu; nabs 2 fixers in Calamba

LTO deploys 35 officers to Cebu and arrests 2 fixers in Calamba

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is stepping up its “house cleaning” efforts after deploying 35 of its finest law enforcement officers (LEOs) to Cebu to “reinforce integrity within the region’s enforcement operations.” The move comes after allegations of anomalies surfaced within the agency’s Region 7 offices.

According to LTO, the deployment is part of the agency’s effort to stamp out corruption and maintain professional public service. The Central Office LEOs have been tasked with strengthening road safety enforcement, promoting discipline and order on the roads, and helping rebuild public confidence in the agency.

In February, the agency announced that its Region 7 office is under full investigation and audit over alleged corruption issues. The directive came directly from LTO Chief, Markus Lacanilao, following strong statements from Transportation Secretary, Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, over reports of alleged irregularities in the region.

In response, Lacanilao ordered the immediate activation of a specialized team from the LTO Central Office to carry out a thorough investigation.

“Let me be clear, there will be no stone left unturned in this investigation. We will meticulously trace every lead, examine every document, and interview every relevant personnel until we identify and bring to justice those responsible for these alleged corrupt practices. The LTO is committed to upholding the highest standards of public service, and we will purge our ranks of anyone who tarnishes that commitment. This is not merely an audit; this is a relentless pursuit of truth and accountability to restore the public's trust in LTO Region 7. We will ensure that justice is served and that our services are delivered with integrity and transparency,” said Lacanilao.

2 fixers nabbed in Calamba

In a separate operation, the LTO announced the arrest of two fixers in Calamba City, Laguna. LTO Region 4A said the suspects were caught during a sting operation conducted with the assistance of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Laguna. The two allegedly offered to process vehicle registrations in exchange for a fee and were taken into custody after accepting marked money from authorities.

“Hindi namin kukunsintihin ang anumang uri ng korapsyon sa loob at paligid ng aming tanggapan. Ang fixing ay malinaw na paglabag sa batas at panlilinlang sa publiko. Patuloy kaming makikipagtulungan sa CIDG at iba pang sangay ng gobyerno upang tuluyang mapuksa ang ganitong ilegal na gawain at masiguro ang maayos, mabilis, at tapat na serbisyo para sa bawat mamamayan. Walang puwang ang mga fixer sa kahit ano mang sangay ng pamahalaan,” said LTO Region 4A Regional Director, Elmer Decena.

(We will not tolerate any form of corruption within or around our office. Fixing is a clear violation of the law and a deception of the public. We will continue to cooperate with the CIDG and other government agencies to completely eliminate such illegal activities and ensure efficient, honest, and reliable service for every citizen. There is no place for fixers in any branch of government.)

The agency also warns the public not to engage or transact with fixers.