At least nine personnel of the Land Transportation Office-Caraga (LTO)-13 were arrested for allegedly extorting money from truck drivers in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, ordered the entrapment operation in Barangay Alubijid on Thursday, June 18, 2026, after receiving complaints against the suspects who are members of the Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES) of LTO-13.

During the operation, the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of receiving and collecting money from truck drivers while performing their official duties.

Confiscated from the suspects were marked money, cash in various denominations, handheld radios, cellular phones, traffic apprehension forms, and other pieces of evidence.

The personnel arrested were brought to the Buenavista Municipal Police Station while authorities are preparing to file criminal charges for direct bribery and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

"Malinaw ang ating polisiya sa LTO na walang puwang ang katiwalian sa hanay ng ating mga kawani. Ang sinumang mapatutunaya’ng lumabag sa batas at sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob ng publiko ay mananagot sa administratibo at kriminal na aspeto. Hindi natin kukunsintihin ang anumang uri ng pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan at patuloy nating lilinisin ang hanay ng ating mga tauhan upang mapanatili ang integridad ng ahensya,” Lacanilao said.

Aside from the criminal charges, Lacanilao also ordered the immediate filing of administrative sanctions against the personnel involved.

He assured the public that the agency will cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure a fair, orderly, and speedy resolution of the case.

LTO reiterated its commitment to combating corruption, extortion, and abuse of authority, and that the “anti-kotong” operation showed that no individual within the LTO is above the law.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13) said one of the suspects arrested will also face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591) for possessing a gun without permit.

PRO-13 also assured the public that due process will be observed strictly regardless of position or designation.

“The PNP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion, and all forms of misconduct. We do not tolerate any act that undermines public trust and compromises the integrity of government service,” PRO-13 said.