Five alleged ‘fixers’ nabbed in LTO Novaliches office

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said five alleged fixers were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) outside the agency’s Novaliches District Office in Quezon City.

In a statement, the LTO said its chief Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade led the operation and personally witnessed the offering of services by the supposed "fixers" outside the Novaliches office.

The alleged fixers, according to the LTO, were caught in the act of transacting with operatives who posed as individuals applying for student permits.

The arrested fixers will face complaints for alleged violation of Republic Act 9485 or Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and currently under the custody of the CIDG at Camp Karingal, according to the agency.

Tugade also warned the head of the LTO Novaliches District of his liability amid the proliferation of "fixers" outside his office.

The LTO chief said the head of the Novaliches District Office may face not only administrative but also criminal liabilities if he is proven to be connected with the "fixers" operating outside his office.

“Malaki po ang pananagutan ng hepe ng District Office ng LTO... Rest assured po sa publiko na I will hold my Chief of that office accountable duon sa pagkakahuli ng mga fixer sa labas ng kanyang tanggapan,” he said.

With this, Tugade warned the public against patronizing the services of "fixers" and stressed it would be better to immediately report their illegal activities instead.

The LTO chief said those obtaining a driver's license and vehicle registration should not take "shortcuts" because lives will be endangered if the appropriate process is not followed.

“May ilan po tayong kababayan na pumapayag sa alok ng fixer at nagbabayad ng P10,500 para sa student permit pero hindi dumaan sa mga training at walang alam kahit sa mga simpleng panuntunan at batas-trapiko. Napaka-delikado sa aksidente at buwis-buhay ang ganitong uri ng shortcut na dapat po nating iwasan at sawatahin,” said Tugade.

The LTO chief also said that measures to fully digitalize the agency and its services are being instituted since he assumed office.

“Isa ang digitalization ng LTO sa mga hakbang para mapuksa ang korupsyon at ang gawain ng mga fixer bukod pa sa naniniwala kami na magbibigay din ito ng ginhawa sa maraming Pilipino na may transaksyon sa ahensya,” said Tugade.—AOL, GMA Integrated News