LTO 'kotong' enforcer suspended by new chief Vigor Mendoza

Newly-appointed Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II has ordered immediate administrative action against the agency’s corrupt law enforcers assigned in LTO Region III.

According to LTO, one of its law enforcement officers Kristofferson Canlas and his alleged cohort Roderich Catahan, were caught by the police after an entrapment operation. Canlas and Catahan allegedly demanded PHP 70,000 from a truck driver after the latter was flagged for being “colorum”. The PHP 70,000 was in exchange for not impounding the said truck and dropping the charges.

Instead of settling with the demands of Canlas and his alleged cohort, the truck driver sought the assistance of the police and an entrapment operation followed suit.

Additionally, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza, ordered LTO Region III director, Ret.PBrig.Gen. Ronnie Montejo to include as co-respondent Canlas’ immediate superior officer as part of the Doctrine of Command Responsibility.

Montejo was also instructed to immediately impose a preventive suspension on the accused during the investigation and treat their misconduct as “grave in nature”.

LTO chief Mendoza also instructed to “submit actions taken/initial compliance within 10 days upon receipt of the Directive to this Office, with a copy furnished to C, IID.”

The suspects and evidence were taken to Police Regional Office (PRO) 3, where appropriate cases will be filed against them.