9 ‘KOTONG’ ENFORCERS ARRESTED IN ANTI-EXTORTION ENTRAPMENT

POLICE on Thursday arrested nine enforcers from the Land Transportation Office in Caraga Region (LTO-13) during an anti-extortion operation in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

According to Police Regional Office -13 information chief Lt. Col. Jennifer Ometer, personnel from LTO Manila coordinated with the police for the conduct of an entrapment.

Members of the PRO-13 Intelligence Division, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 13, PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 and the Buenavista Municipal Police Station launched the sting.

During the operation, nine enforcers of the Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES) in Caraga were caught in the act of accepting and collecting money from motorists while on duty.

In a statement on Friday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Marcus Lacanilao, said they are set to file administrative  charges against the arrested enforcers.

The cases he said are separate from criminal raps to be filed at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

“Malinaw ang ating polisiya sa LTO na walang puwang ang katiwalian sa hanay ng ating mga kawani. Ang sinumang mapatutunayang lumabag sa batas at sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob ng publiko ay mananagot sa administratibo at kriminal na,” Lacanilao said.

The LTO official assured that the agency will cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure the proper, fair, and expeditious filing of criminal charges against the arrested RLES personnel.