INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday issued a stern warning against colorum operators, vowing it will “drag” them to courts as part of the agency’s push to halt their illegal activity.
The agency’s notice follows a resolution from the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office recommending charges against alleged colorum van owner Roberto Salvador and his driver, Rocky Cos, for violating the Public Service Act.
READ: Colorum PUV operators fined P20.8 M in December 2023 – DOTr
“This should serve as a strong message that the LTO will really drag you in court in our efforts to put an end to this colorum activity,” LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II was quoted as saying in a statement from the agency.
The LTO said that it had filed a case against Salvador and Cos after they failed to present any document from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that the van is allowed to ferry commuters.
According to the agency, they flagged the vehicle driven by Cos in an operation along Roxas Boulevard on October 24 of last year over suspicion that it was picking up passengers.
It was impounded after confirming that the van was indeed being used as a public utility vehicle transporting passengers from Trece Martires City to Parañaque without the necessary permits.
Salvador was later identified as the van’s owner following an investigation by the LTO.
“The Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office agreed with the arguments raised by the LTO that it is impossible that Salvador was not aware of the illegal operation of the van he owns,” the agency said.
If found guilty of violating the Public Service Act, the two would be sentenced to six to 12 years imprisonment and a P2 million fine.
READ: LTO files rap vs colorum PUV driver and owner
“This legal battle only encourages us in the LTO to continuously conduct aggressive operations against colorum vehicles. This is for the sake of legitimate transport operators and drivers, and this is for the sake of road safety, especially of the commuters,” Mendoza continued.
The LTO previously said that it is boosting its anti-colorum drive and had sought the help of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group to curb illegal activities.