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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Fake LTO chief arrested for extortion racket on owners of impounded colorum vehicles

Fake LTO chief arrested for extortion racket on owners of impounded colorum vehicles

Published Apr 27, 2025 03:24 am

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                                                 photo: LTO 

A 42-year old man almost raked in millions of money from some desperate public utility vehicle (PUV) operators with impounded units for colorum violations by posing as the chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Fortunately, some of the bus operators made some verifications from LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II himself which led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, a resident of Rizal province, in an entrapment operation in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday, April 26.

Mendoza said he immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the incident after he was informed by some bus operators that about phone calls of a man identifying himself as the LTO chief and asking P250,000 for the release of every unit impounded for colorum violations.

 “As soon as I was informed about this, I immediately tasked our Intelligence and Investigation Division chief, Renante Melitante, to conduct an investigation to identify and arrest this impostor,” said Mendoza.

Melitante, for his part, coordinated with the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-ACG)  in the conduct of the prone until they were able to establish contact with the suspect with the help of some of the victims.

According to some of the victims, they were promised the release of their impounded units for P250,000 each. The fine for colorum violation is P1 million.

As the LTO Chief, the imposter claimed that he is the only person who could release the impounded vehicles.

With the help of one of the victims, LTO agents and PNP-ACG operatives were able to transact with the suspect at around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Cubao Terminal Complex, Times Square Avenue in Quezon City.

The suspect was arrested as soon as he received the boodle money covered with marked P1,000 bill. Seized from him were the marked money, the boodle money, a driver’s license, and two cellular phones.

Following the arrest, Mendoza reminded PUV operators and the public not to deal with scammers and fixers for any LTO transaction.

In relation to the anti-colorum drive, Mendoza issued a memorandum last year to all LTO officials that only a court order could release the impounded vehicles for colorum violation.

The LTO has been aggressively conducting operation against colorum vehicles as legitimate transport operators lose at least 30 percent of their daily income from colorum operators and drivers.

Charges of violations of Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority) and Article 315 (Swindling/Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code all in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175 also known as “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” and Section 4 (b) (3) (Computer-Related Identity Theft) of R.A. 10175, or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” are now being prepared against the arrested suspect. 

“I will personally monitor this case to make sure that this man will be punished in the full extent of the law,” said Mendoza. 

“This should serve as a stern warning against these scammers that we in the government will surely fight back and make sure that you will suffer the consequences of your actions,” he added.

 

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