NBI agents nab LTFRB exec in P5,000 bribery

BACOLOD CITY—Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday arrested an official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for allegedly demanding bribe from a taxi operator.

Arturo Gepes, head of the LTFRB Bacolod inspection and monitoring team, however, denied he solicited and accepted P5,000 from taxi operator Lauro Dizon.

Complaints for extortion, violation of the antigraft and corrupt practices act and ethical standards for government employees were filed against Gepes at the Bacolod prosecutor’s office.

Romulo Bernardes, LTFRB director for Western Visayas, ordered an investigation of Gepes to determine what administrative action can be taken against the beleaguered official.

“The LTFRB does not tolerate extortion activities by its personnel,” he said.

Gepes called Bernardes to inform his boss that he had been arrested and to deny demanding bribe money.

Cyrus Alusan, NBI special agent, said the entrapment operation against Gepes followed a complaint filed by Dizon who operates three taxi units in Bacolod.

Dizon, who was applying for sale and transfer of franchise permit at the LTFRB in Bacolod, alleged that Gepes demanded P5,000 to expedite the permit’s release, according to Alusan.

An entrapment operation was planned and P5,000 in marked money was prepared.

Gepes was arrested in his office while accepting the marked money, Alusan said.

Gepes denied that the money was in exchange for Dizon’s permit.