Arrested driver of colorum vehicle in Quezon Province faces raps

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A criminal case has been filed against the driver of a colorum vehicle who tried to escape and almost hit a Land Transportation Office (LTO) officer during an operation in Tagkawayan, Quezon.

According to the LTO, the unnamed driver was arrested following a tip that he was operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

READ: LTO vows to intensify crackdown on inter-island colorum vehicles

“He was not able to present any document from the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] that he is allowed to operate the vehicle for transportation,” said LTO Region IV-A Regional Director Elmer Decena, as quoted in a statement on Friday.

But before the apprehension, Decena said that the driver tried to escape and almost hit an LTO officer.

Fortunately, other LTO enforcers blocked the way, forcing the motorist to come to a stop.

READ: P17.4 M in fines collected from anti-colorum vehicles drive

The driver is facing charges for violations of the Republic Act 11659, or the Public Safety Act, which could lead to at least 12 years of imprisonment and a maximum of a P2 million fine if proven guilty.

Meanwhile, the Masbate-bound passengers of the colorum vehicle were transferred to a passenger bus after the apprehension.