FEMALE LTO EMPLOYEE, ‘FIXER’ COHORT AFRESTED IN PAMPANGA ENTRAPMENT OPERATION

BY KEVIN GALANG

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — A female employee of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and an alleged fixer on Wednesday were arrested by the authorities in an entrapment operation at the LTO Mabiga Extension Office in this city.

According to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG RFU3) chief Col. Grant Gollod, arrested were alias “Ellen,”  29, an Administrative Aide VI assigned at the LTO Mabiga Extension Office, and alias “Ewin,” 50, an alleged fixer. 

Gollod said the arrest is part of the crackdown against illegal fixing activities in government offices.

He said his men, in coordination with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Central Luzon Regional Office, LTO Regional Office 3, CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit, and the Mabalacat City Police Station, conducted the sting.

A third suspect, identified as the owner of a driving school in Mabiga, remains at-large and is expected to face preliminary investigation.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by LTO Region 3 regarding alleged rampant fixing activities at the extension office.

Investigators said the scheme involved fixers working in connivance with certain LTO personnel and an accredited driving school to expedite driver’s license applications, renewals, and additional restriction code transactions in exchange for unauthorized fees.

According to CIDG, a two-week case build-up and surveillance operation confirmed the alleged illegal activities, prompting authorities to launch the entrapment.

As part of the sting, police officers posed as customers seeking driver’s license transactions.

One of the poseur-customers was able to obtain a Certificate of Completion from the driving school despite not undergoing the required Practical Driving Course and practical driving assessment.

Following the arrest of the fixer, he allegedly identified “Ellen” as the LTO employee who received the money used in the transaction. 

Authorities recovered the marked money from the two suspects.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.