otohp

At least 15 public utility vehicles (PUVs), including nine passenger buses, were impounded during the conduct of anti-colorum operation and road worthiness inspection at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

LTO chief Vigor D. Mendoza II said the same operation conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 11, also resulted in the apprehension of five drivers after they tested positive during the surprise drug test at the PITX in Parañaque City.

Mendoza said the impounded vehicles were nine buses, three UV Express, two passenger jeepney and one taxi. Eight of the passenger buses were impounded for colorum while the 9th passenger bus was impounded for defective parts and failure to install license plate. 

“This is the start of our aggressive operation of the LTO not only here in Metro Manila but also across the country. Let this serves as a warning to all PUV drivers and colorum operators that they must stop these illegal activities,” said Mendoza.

Director Francis Almora, head of the LTO Law Enforcement Service, said the operation stemmed from intelligence reports of the rampant operation of colorum PUVs near the PITX.

This, he said, resulted in the apprehension of 14 colorum PUVs outside the PITX: “When the drivers were asked to produce the documents proving that they are allowed to operate, all the drivers failed to do so.”

On the other hand, the road worthiness inspection inside the PITX led to the discovery of defective parts in one of the passengers buses, according to LTO-National Capital Region director Roque Verzosa III.

Verzosa said a total of 101 PUV drivers underwent a surprise drug test as part of the road worthiness inspection and five of them tested positive. 

Mendoza has earlier committed to intensify the campaign against colorum PUVs as part of the road safety measures.