LTO, law enforcers nab fixers next door to LTO HQ

People offering “quick and hassle-free” services (for a fee, of course) at any government agency are called fixers. It is like an open secret and this industry thrives even though it is forbidden by law. Just recently, agents of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), backed by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Quezon City Police District Field Unit (CIDG-QCPDFU), arrested two people tagged in manufacturing fake motor vehicle documents in an operation in East Avenue, Quezon City.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports about the rampant fabrication and printing of alleged falsified Official Receipts (OR), and Certificate of Registrations (CR) of motor vehicles.

“We have intensified our intelligence monitoring against fixers and those engaged in illegal activities involving LTO documents, as well as those manufacturing fake license plates. And through this, we were able to identify a person engaged in fabrication of OR/CR and his location,” said Mendoza.

During the operation on the first floor of the Prima Building, East Avenue Corner Magalang St. Brgy Pinyahan at around 4:30 PM, two people were arrested while engaged in the said illegal activity. This building is literally next door to the LTO head office in East Avenue, Quezon City.

One of the alleged suspects, 36, is a resident of Novaliches, Quezon City, and the other is a 54-year-old resident of Montalban, Rizal. Seized from them were marked money used in the entrapment, falsified OR/CR, a laptop, a printer, and a mobile phone.

Mendoza said the information they obtained revealed that it was the Montalban resident who was running the illegal operation near the LTO Central Office in Quezon City. The confirmation was done by sending a poseur client of the suspects.

“The document obtained by an agent was indeed fake and we immediately coordinated with the QCPD on this matter, which resulted in this successful operation,” Mendoza.

During the investigation of the CIDG, it was found out that the suspects were members of the Cris Falsification Group involved in the fabrication and selling of falsified private and public documents, specifically LTO Driver’s License and Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) rampantly operating in the area of Quezon City.

The suspects were taken to the CIDG-QCPDFU office at Camp Karingal and facing various criminal charges, while follow-up operations are now being conducted against their cohorts.

“We express gratitude to the CIDG and the QCPD for their prompt action and assistance based on our request. Even before, the PNP and LTO worked hand-in-hand against these fixers,” said Mendoza.

“Let this serve as a warning against fixers and other people making easy money using LTO documents, and even those manufacturing and selling fake license plates, that we will not stop until you are all brought to jail,” he added.