Four individuals allegedly involved in fixing activities linked to the Land Transportation Office Region 11 (LTO 11) were arrested on Monday morning in Davao City in an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation Region 11 (NBI 11).
Gerald Intes, Assistant Regional Director of NBI 11, identified the suspects as two men and two women who were reportedly operating through a medical clinic and a driving school.
Intes said the arrests were carried out simultaneously in two establishments identified as EZ Auto Driving Academy and Blessed Pedro Calungsod Medical Laboratory.
“Actually, simultaneous yan dalawang establishments na nakunan natin na mga subjects, EZ Auto Driving Academy and the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Medical Laboratory. Nakuha ng mga suspects ang marked money na inabot ng mga ahente or poseur natin,” Intes told the media.
Initial investigation showed that the suspects were allegedly facilitating vehicle registration transactions through illegal means.
The four suspects are set to face charges for violating Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which amended the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
Intes explained that the operation stemmed from a request by LTO 11 Director Atty. Ernesto Raphael V. Robillo to crack down on illegal fixers.
“The operation stemmed from the request of LTO 11 Director Atty. Robillo to get rid of fixers. Nagkaroon kami ng surveillance, may mga informants din tayo sa labas, yung assessment ng mga agents natin. May pinaaresto tayong apat na subject. Ang surveillance happened last week but previously may mga tips na kami na talagang may nangyayaring ganito. Then after the arrest, they were brought to an isolated place at doon sila kinausap mismo ni Director Robillo,” Intes explained.
Intes said the investigation is ongoing to determine if more individuals are involved in the illegal scheme.
