3 LTO employees caught stealing license plates
“Backlogs aren’t the only problems the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has about its license plates—it looks like some of the agency’s employees are stealing from the LTO’s Plate Making Plant in Quezon City.
“The agency reported that three personnel were arrested after they were caught stealing new license plates. They were identified as embossers Jenard Arida and Arjay Anasco and warehouse staff Valeriano Labayno. All three work at the plant at the LTO Central Office in QC.
“The stolen license plates were being sold at P10,000 per piece. The LTO said that these plates are part of a grand scheme involving brand-new vehicles purchased through financing. The M.O. involves illegal sales of vehicles using these duplicated and stolen plates and fake registration documents. It’s what the LTO calls ‘technical carnapping.’
“The agency, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), plans to conduct further investigations regarding the matter. A certain Allan Joker Abrigo was named as a ‘team leader’ and a possible boss of the three suspects.
“DILG chief Benjamin Abalos is reminding the public to be vigilant when buying brand-new vehicles. ‘Ito’y babala sa lahat ng bibili [ng sasakyan], huwag kayong umasa sa pakita lamang ng plaka. I-check niyo muna sa LTO kung may laman ang QR code ng mga ito,’ he said.”
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Motorist caught using bike lane claims to be police
“During one of the bike-lane operations of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), they apprehended a rider astride a Yamaha NMax. He allegedly claimed he was police—which he apparently was denying already in the footage. What’s worse, he kept repeatedly reasoning out with ‘nagmamadali ako.’
“Not only was the guy responding violently to what was clearly an error on his part, he was also trying to get out of the situation with a completely invalid excuse.
“The SAICT’s post on Facebook reads: ‘Base sa videocam na kuha, nagpakilala ang violator na pulis galing sa Camp Crame at nagmamadali sakaniyang pupuntahan kaya napilitan gumagamit ng bike lane na kinalaunan tiniketan din ng SAICT officers.’”
Rider caught for bike lane violation claims to be police:
P17.4-M in fines collected during January anti-colorum ops
“Last month, SAICT’s anti-colorum operations resulted in a staggering total of P20.8 million in penalties. This month, it’s more of the same story.
“The SAICT continued its crackdown on colorum vehicles to start the year, and it was able to apprehend 44 vehicles which included vans, buses, and other PUVs. From January 6 to 31, 2024, the total fines against operators and drivers have gone up to a whopping P17.4 million.
“The fines were at P200,000 per van and P1,000,000 per bus. This campaign is being carried out by the SAICT together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the LTO.
“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is also leading this initiative, and says that the main purpose is for the protection of other road users. The agency also expects to catch more illegal and unregistered vehicles as authorities continue to intensify these anti-colorum campaigns.
“As with last time, the press release also reads: ‘To this end, SAICT is urging the public to report any suspicious or unauthorized transportation services to the DOTr Commuter Hotline 0920-964-3687, contributing to the overall efforts in dismantling the colorum network in the metropolis.’”
