Authorities Conduct Operation Leading to Arrest of 3 LTO Employees Involved in Smuggling Unregistered Plates
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Authorities arrested three LTO employees for allegedly smuggling unregistered plates from their Central Office.
On Friday (January 26, 2024), the Land Transportation Office announced that authorities had arrested three of their employees during an operation for allegedly smuggling unregistered plates.
LTO and concerned authorities received information regarding the smuggling of unregistered plates during a briefing, according to LTO intelligence and investigation division head Renante Militante.
“Nandito naman po kahapon ang operating team ng special project ni DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), so nagkasa po agad ng operasyon,” Militante said.
However, one of the suspects is still at large and was tagged as the group leader. The leader has been working at LTO since 2018 while the three others have been employed since 2019 and 2020, according to Militante.
For almost a year, the agency has been keeping an eye on the reported smuggling of unregistered plates. This January, an employee reported the incident and served as a witness to the group’s alleged anomaly.
LTO has also acquired CCTV footage showing how the leader took plates and placed them inside his motorcycle’s utility box.
“Ito naman pong leader nila, nakita po sa CCTV kung paano nilalabas ng planta na tinatago at isinusuksok sa likod and then nilalagay po sa box ng motor. Tapos kapag off duty na, dala-dala niya na,” Militante said.
The official reported that smuggled plates are being sold for around P5,000 to P10,000. Around 38 plates were reportedly smuggled from January 6 to 10, 2024.
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The agency will conduct an audit from the year when the group leader started to work. LTO will conduct further investigation to check if there are more employees involved in the illegal activity. The three suspects will face legal charges filed against them.
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