LTO cracks down on illegal services with arrest of five alleged fixers

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) carries a reputation as one of the more challenging government bureaus for the public to transact with legitimately. It’s an image that the agency is trying to shed, by actively going after those who illicitly offer services on its behalf.  

The LTO is working to shed its image as a challenging agency for the public to transact with

Agents of the LTO, working with elements of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), have apprehended five individuals alleged to be fixers. The arrest took place on Friday, June 25, along Malakas and Mapagmahal Streets in Bgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City. 

The LTO-ARTA-PNP operation was coordinated with the Quezon City local government’s Department of Order and Safety (DPOS) and the LTO-National Capital Region West (LTO-NCRW) branch. 

The arrested suspects are being detained at QCPD Station 10

Reports say that the arrested suspects offered their services to a truck owner for registration renewal at staggered fees, with fake certificates of registration and official receipts supposedly part of their modus operandi. After receiving the marked money, the five were promptly arrested by authorities, and are now detained at the Quezon City Police Department’s Station 10 in Kamuning.

According to LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, there is no need to patronize illegal services as the agency has already harmonized the application process for both driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. 

Driver's licenses and vehicle registration can be verified with the LTO

“Ating inayos at pinabilis ang panuntunan sa aplikasyon ng mga lisensiya at rehistro ng mga sasakyan. Hindi na kakailanganin ng serbisyo nitong mga fixer na babayaran niyo nang pagkamahal-mahal samantalang makakamenos tayo kung susundin natin ang tamang proseso,” he said. 

(We have streamlined the guidelines for driver’s license and vehicle registration. There’s no need to avail of services from fixers who charge exorbitant fees when you can save money by going through the proper procedures)

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade has cautioned the public against transacting with individuals outside of LTO offices, including online pages that claim to assist with the relevant applications. “Huwag na huwag ho nating tangkilikin ang mga fixer at iwasan natin ang ganitong pamamaraan. Tayo po ay tumalima sa tamang patakaran at sundin ang tamang proseso. Isuplong ho natin ang mga korap na sumisira sa maayos nating sistema.” 

(Let’s avoid using fixers and resorting to their illegal ways. It’s better to go through the proper channels, and report those corrupt individuals who are working against our smooth process)    

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