By Alexandria San Juan
Twelve alleged 'fixers' at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) operating near the agency’s main office in Quezon City were nabbed in a joint entrapment operation Monday morning.
Lawyer Clarence Guinto, acting director of LTO Law Enforcement Service, said the fixers offered victims faster transactions on drivers’ license applications for a higher fee.
"We have been receiving mounting reports, especially in Facebook and other social media platforms, of fixers in the vicinity of the Central Office," Guinto said in a press conference at the LTO main office on Monday.
"They approach LTO clients and act as if they belong to an LTO help desk, a part of the Agency," Guinto added.
LTO personnel and members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) conducted a joint operation against the fixers in Barangay Pinagkaisahan resulting in their arrest.
Guinto said the fixers had set-up a help desk with tarpaulins on the licensing process.
According to Guinto, the suspects are charging up to P5,000, higher than the usual P800 fees collected inside the LTO.
The arrested suspects will be facing charges for violations of different laws such as the Anti-Red Tape Law, Usurpation of Authority, and the Quezon City Anti-Fixing Ordinance, among others.
Meanwhile, Guinto also advised the public not to deal with fixers to avoid trouble.
"To our clients, please do not patronize these fixers posing as LTO employees. They will not facilitate the processing of your transaction. They will only give you trouble eventually. Transact at legitimate LTO counters only," Guinto said.