An alleged fixer who offered his illegal services to a top Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) official at the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
headquarters in Quezon City was arrested on Tuesday.
In a statement, ARTA said a certain Randy Albor was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Regional Field Unit-National Capital Region (CIDG-RFU-NCR) outside LTO's gate in an entrapment operation.
Prior to this, ARTA conducted surveillance operations outside the LTO headquarters to verify the complaints they receive about fixers in the area. Upon confirmation, ARTA Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance Carlos Quita volunteered to renew his license to lead the fixers in an entrapment operation.
ARTA said Quita posed as a broker and went to the LTO to get his license renewed. Albor then offered his services.
According to Quita, they breezed through the medical examination. Even more surprising, his overpriced license was made inside the LTO Headquarters.
Following the arrest, ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica trooped to the said office and placed posters at the cafeteria outside LTO, the said hotspot for fixers, and at the LTO Headquarters' Public Assistance Area to remind the public that fixing should not be tolerated.
"Nakikiusap din ako, actually, sa mga taong bayan. Huwag po natin kunsintehin ang mga fixers kasi ang korapsyon (I actually appeal to the public to not condone fixers because corruption) is a two-way street, eh," he said.
"Sitahin niyo, paalisin ninyo kung mayroong ganyan, otherwise, madadamay sila (Call them out, ask them to leave if you encounter some or they will be affected," he added.
LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante echoed the ARTA czar's sentiment and asked the Authority to turn over Quita's license to verify if it is legitimate.
Galvante said it would be difficult for fixers to copy the numerous security features in a legitimate driver's license.
Meanwhile, Galvante warned those patronizing fixers that a fake driver's license does not have any benefit to them.
"Anong tulong na maibibigay sa kanila ng isang fake na license? Wala silang ano ron, 'di ba, walang benefit na makukuha ron (What benefit would they get from a fake license? None)," he said.
He said despite the office not at full capacity in terms of workforce, there was no need for the public to tolerate fixers because they can address the need of everyone going to LTO.
ARTA said Albor will be charged for violation of the Ease of Doing Business Act. He was transferred to the custody of the CIDG and underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday, June 16.
Meanwhile, LTO committed to conducting further investigations on the incident while ARTA will also conduct its own probe.