Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II relieved six enforcers of the agency over complaints that they were extorting money from drivers of colorum (no franchise) public utility vehicles.
“These six LTO enforcers are already under preventive suspension. I will personally monitor this case because I have also instructed the filing of administrative and criminal complaints against them,” Mendoza said in a statement.
“This should serve as a warning to all LTO enforcers. Don’t taint with your dirty hands the government’s campaign against colorum public utility vehicles, because you will surely get the ax from me,” he added.
Mendoza, however, did not identify the six enforcers pending completion of the investigation.
Confidential agents of the LTO who posed as drivers of colorum vehicles discovered the illegal activities of the six enforcers.
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Aside from the six LTO enforcers, Mendoza said their team leaders will also be included in the investigation for gross negligence in relation to command responsibility. Mendoza warned all LTO enforcers and other employees to do their job with integrity. “There will be no strike two or strike three on this matter. If you are caught, you will immediately be relieved and will face both criminal and administrative cases. I will make sure you’ll be kicked out of the LTO,” he said.