AFP coordinates with LTO in campaign vs military personnel-driven colorum PUVs

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday they are coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to have soldiers deputized to assist in apprehending alleged military personnel driving or operating colorum (unregistered or out-of-route) Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).

The LTO of the National Capital Region (NCR) had reportedly stated that 30 per cent of colorum PUVs caught by LTO enforcers were driven or operated by off-duty or retired policemen or soldiers who were carrying firearms.

AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. had previously stated that “it is against the law to carry firearms when not engaging in official function.”

The LTO enforcers were afraid to arrest the drivers or operators of the colorum vehicles because they were military personnel, Burgos said.

“We are ready to coordinate with LTO so that we could be deputized to assist them in apprehending individuals [that are] allegedly members of the AFP,” Burgos said.

Soldiers were not prohibited from making extra income various ways “so long as they are not on duty, and it does not hamper their function in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as members of the AFP,” Burgos said.

He added they should still follow the law and should not violate rules and regulations in their efforts to get extra income.

“If they are allowed to operate PUVs, they should not be colorum,” Burgos said.

Burgos said there are already soldiers who have been deputized to assist in law enforcement.

“Members of the Philippines Army Military Police [have been] deputized to help in the enforcement of law in the [Fort Bonifacio] area,” Burgos said.