Five employees of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 2 were arrested in an entrapment operation in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya after they were allegedly caught receiving money in exchange for the release of an impounded vehicle.

Authorities carried out the operation morning on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in front of the Baldovi Terminal Compound on Sulucan Street in Purok 1, Barangay Banggot.

The suspects, four agents and one team leader, were arrested following a complaint received by the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office.

According to the complainant, the group allegedly demanded P200,000 for the release of an impounded van and P25,000 as initial settlement.

During the operation, authorities also seized firearms, ammunition, documents, ID cards, more than P96,000 in cash, and boodle money. Small amounts of shabu and drug paraphernalia were also recovered.

The personnel arrested will face multiple charges, including violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

P/Maj. Nova Lyn Aggasid, public information officer of the Nueva Vizcaya PPO, said the suspects tried to strike a deal with the vehicle owner.

“Ang nangyari po diyan may nag-report na citizen wherein ‘yun nga po may na-impound na van and then noong tinutubos nila parang gustong i-shortcut nu’ng mga agent ng LTO kung saan hindi na magbabayad ng 200 [thousand pesos] bagkus parang tutubusin na lang ng lesser price para makuha na nila agad ‘yung van,” Aggasid said.

“And with that po, parang nag-agree po sila na aside from that magbibigay na lang sila ng P1,000 per unit or P2,000 para ‘yung other units na bibiyahe hindi na raw sisitahin ng agents po nila,” she added.

The suspects and the LTO Region 2 office have yet to issue a statement.