LTO steps up filing of cases vs ‘colorum’ PUV operators

Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said it was ramping up the filing of criminal cases against operators of unregistered or “colorum” vehicles that continue to operate illegally in the National Capital Region (NCR).

LTO-NCR Regional Director Roque Verzosa III disclosed in a statement that LTO lawyer Andrew Pilotin, accompanied by enforcers John Philip Matia-Ong and Raymond Roy Bodoso, personally filed a case at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Caloocan City last Monday.

However, Verzosa did not state who or how many respondents were in the case filed in Caloocan.

READ: DILG warns fines of up to P1 million can be imposed on colorum operators

He warned that other colorum operators would face the full force of the law for their illegal activities.

“LTO-NCR will not stop in its desire to punish all those who violate road regulations,” he said.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II earlier ordered an intensified campaign against colorum operators, targeting vehicles operating without the necessary permits.

The campaign aims to enforce stricter regulations and penalties to ensure compliance with transportation laws and enhance road safety.

Mendoza emphasized the importance of eliminating colorum vehicles to promote fair competition among legitimate transport operators and ensure the safety and convenience of the commuting public.

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

Wider crackdown

As early as February this year, the LTO already issued a stern warning against colorum operators, vowing it would drag them to court as part of the agency’s push to halt their illegal activity.

This followed 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.

“This should serve as a strong message that the LTO will really drag you to court in our efforts to put an end to this colorum activity,” Mendoza said earlier.

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 stating that the van was allowed to ferry commuters.

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.

The LTO is also cracking down on inter-island colorum vehicles.

“[T]he LTO intends to double its efforts and widen its net by coordinating efforts with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation,” Mendoza said earlier.

He added that the LTO would strengthen its coordination with port authorities to ensure that colorum vehicles could not travel inter-island, especially when using roll-on, roll-off vessels.

“We will shut the doors in the various ports to prevent colorum motor vehicles from traveling from Visayas to Metro Manila. We will also hit them at the terminals and expressways. We will control key junctions in key cities to prevent them from plying,” Mendoza said.

He noted that “coordination meetings” would also be conducted with the PNP and the PCG to prepare “criminal charges” against colorum vehicles and their operators.

Mendoza said the penalty for operating a colorum vehicle is imprisonment of up to six years and a fine of up to P2 million.