The Land Transportation Office (LTO) launched an investigation into ten of its district offices that are suspected of involvement in the illegal transfer of ownership of 40 motor vehicles that were previously confiscated in police operations.

LTO Chief, Asst. Sec. Vigor Mendoza II said he would issue a notice to all heads of said district offices to explain their supposed involvement in the nefarious activity dubbed as “technical carnapping.”

In traditional carnapping, vehicles were stolen either while parked unattended or forcibly taken. However, technical carnapping involves taking vehicles under the pretense of legitimate agreements.

According to LTO, 15 cases of the illegal transfer of ownership of motor vehicles seized in police operations occurred in Caraga (Region 13); eight in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9); four each in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) and Davao (Region 11); two each in Ilocos (Region 1), Central Luzon (Region 3), and Northern Mindanao (Region 10); and one each in Calabarzon (Region 4A), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The said LTO district offices have yet to air their side on the matter.

However, Mendoza said he uncovered the modus during continuous coordination of the LTO with the Philippine National Police (PNP), which provided them with intelligence reports about individuals and groups engaged in illegal activities using motor vehicles.

In one of the meetings of high-ranking officials from the two agencies, it was established that some LTO district offices were involved in the unauthorized processing of Cancellation of Transfer of Ownership and Duplication of Certificates of Registration.

The modus involved recovered vehicles being illegally transferred to new owners, with new Duplicate Certificates of Registration issued alongside proper documentation to simulate a valid transfer of ownership.

Mendoza said he already informed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon of the said modus. 

“[H]is instruction is clear, to identify and ensure that airtight criminal and administrative charges will be filed against those involved in this illegal activity,” the LTO chief noted.

“We will not let this pass. We will not allow the LTO to be used in illegal activities such as this,” he vowed.

If proven guilty, the officials will face dismissal penalties and be charged for misconduct under the Civil Service and LTO Memorandum Circular No. MC-91-137 dated June 6, 1991; and for violation of the LTO Citizen Charter.

Mendoza said the initial investigation already identified the 40 vehicles involved in the modus.

“We will be issuing show cause orders against the new registered owners of these motor vehicles,” Mendoza said.

He assured the Filipino people that the LTO would leave no stone unturned in the investigation.