A viral video showed of the questionable manner that personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 apprehended a man in the Province of Bohol.
The man was on board his motorcycle when he was “arrested” by LTO employees in a law enforcement operation.
The incident happened in Barangay Tawala, Municipality of Panglao morning on February 28, 2025.
The man was held by the LTO personnel and forced to get off his motorcycle.
The man was heard shouting that he is a farmer.
It was learned that the man is an elder brother of a former vice mayor of Panglao town.
In a telephone interview, Brian Velasco, the former vice mayor, explained that his brother tills land in Barangay Bolod, also in the said town. He would usually bring with him agricultural tools or implements such as his bolo and knife, Velasco said.
"Galingkod ra man siya, tapos gisumbag man kuno giguyod pa siya nanaog na, wa gud siya mosukol. Kini ako igsoon naa man ni siya farming ngari ba mao na iya kalingawan magdala og mga sundang kutsilyo, kay gikan man to nag-harvest,” Velasco, the man's younger brother, added.
The Velasco family has questioned the way by which their elder brother was “arrested.”
"Makahilak pod ta igsoon baya nato dili pod ing-adto unta pud ba. Kay di man kriminal aside from that, kana ila gibuhat dili man siguro… police man unta mag-ingon adto kay ang expertise sa LTO di ba modakop motan-aw og naa lisensya, naa violation sila na ningdakop man. Gilayog man dayon ako igsoon,” Velasco pointed out.
It was learned from Velasco that his brother is at the custodial facility of the Panglao Police Station, as of this writing.
A complaint will be filed reportedly by the personnel of the LTO, however Velasco said that they are prepared to file a case as well against the apprehending officers.
Through social media, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said that he has informed LTO 7 Director Glenn Galario of the incident for the appropriate action on his men.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan will also summon the task force on the incident.
The members of the Provincial Board called on the pullout of the said personnel from Bohol.
LTO 7 RESPONSE
In a press statement on February 28, 2025, Galario said that LTO 7 “regrets the distressing nature of the incident and apologizes for any concern it may have caused to the public.”
“The situation, in which a belligerent individual wielding a knife was restrained and subdued by LTO 7 Field Enforcement Officers, was an unfortunate turn of events. The safety of both the public and our personnel remains a top priority, and we are committed to maintaining law and order,” Galario said.
“As a result of the incident, LTO 7 has immediately suspended all law enforcement operations in Bohol Province, and has withdrawn the field enforcement officers from the area pending a full investigation on the matter,” Galario added.
Galario vowed to launch an investigation on the actions of the said officers.
“LTO 7 takes any allegations of improper conduct seriously. As such, we are launching an immediate investigation into the actions of the LTO 7 Field Enforcement Officers involved in the incident. This investigation will be conducted in accordance with established procedures, and any officer found to have acted outside of protocol will be held accountable,” he assured.
