LTO enhances coordination with Customs to curb car smuggling

The Land Transportation Office has vowed to pitch in to prevent the entry of smuggled vehicles into the country. This was stated by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II and it is in line with the directive set by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. 

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II

To do this, Mendoza said that the LTO will work more closely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The latter after all, is the lead agency when it comes to cracking down on smuggling, including illegally bringing in vehicles. 

Via this coordination, the LTO may be able to prevent smuggled vehicles from being registered at any LTO branches nationwide. On the flip side, the LTO will provide assistance to the BOC in terms of documenting imported motor vehicles. 

Mendoza added that the fight against trafficking vehicles will also coincide with fighting other criminal activities. Likewise, the government executive also called on the public to share and report any information that may be helpful in quashing the entry of smuggled cars. 

Car smuggling cases in the Philippines are all too common. [Photo: BOC]

In addressing LTO heads, Mendoza said “Palalakasin natin ang ating ugnayan sa BOC upang mapigilan ang pagpasok ng smuggled na sasakyan hindi lamang sa Visayas kung hindi sa buong bansa.” 

(Let us strengthen our relationship with BOC to prevent the entry of smuggled vehicles not only in Visayas but also nationwide.)

“I call on our regional directors and district heads to maintain close coordination with the BOC in your areas,” Mendoza added. 

It’s no secret that illegal car importation is rampant in the Philippines. It has been a longtime issue that has become painfully obvious considering the several highly publicized “car crushing” and seizures the BOC conducted to deal with these illicit cars in the years past. 

That said, whether the LTO’s coordination with BOC will help against car smuggling or not, you’ll be the first to know here on Philkotse.