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LTO fixers go online; 2 arrested in entrapment

Published Jul 9, 2022 11:43 am

Remember those people who would approach you for a quick-fix of driver’s license and car registration outside and even inside all Land Transportation Office (LTO)? 

Well, some of them already went online and have been using social media platforms to lure “clients”.

On Saturday, July 9, LTO Officer-In-Charge lawyer Romeo G. Vera Cruz announced the arrest of two people engaged in online fixing of the processing of driver’s license and car registration in an entrapment operation conducted by the agency’s Investigation and Intelligence Division (IID) and the Quezon City-Diliman Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT).

Nabbed were Jefferson Uy, 38; of Pleasant Hills Subdivision in Bulacan; and, Arnel Miranda, 55, of Fairview, Quezon City.

“They were offering non-appearance renewal of motor vehicle registration transactions through online payment and meet-up,” said Vera Cruz.

Some of the fixers are already using online platforms after the LTO went digital in almost all its transactions using the Land Transportation Management Service (LTMS), which requires online transactions as early as at the appointment level. 

Vera Cruz said the operations were conducted after monitoring modus operandi of some fixers using the social media platforms.

In the case of Uy, Vera Cruz said the suspect would transact using the Messenger app non-appearance renewal of motor vehicle registration.

After sealing the transaction, Uy informed the agent that the motor vehicle was renewed and that the original receipt (OR) was ready for pick-up. This led to his apprehension.

During interrogation, Uy named Miranda as the person who processed the transaction at the LTO Novaliches District office, Quezon City. This led to the arrest of the second suspect.

The suspects are now under the custody of the QCDACT for violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code on deceit/swindling (estafa) and Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery (EODB EGSD) Act of 2018, both in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).  

Vera Cruz advised LTO clients to transact directly with the LTO and not with spurious social media accounts and individuals for their own protection. 

“To all LTO clients, please refrain from patronizing fixers for your own protection. You may also be equally liable under the law,” said Vera Cruz

He also warned individuals and employees not to engage in fixing activities as they will be dealt with under the full force of the law. 

“The LTO will relentlessly operate against these spurious individuals in our effort to clean up the bureaucracy to protect our clients,” said Vera Cruz.  

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