Colorum bites back

MANILA, Philippines – Three weeks ago, The Philippine STAR featured a story about the LTO-NCR’s (Land Transportation Office – National Capital Region) launch of their new anti-colorum campaign in Metro Manila. In said campaign, the LTO’s Regional Enforcement Group was beefed-up to serve longer shifts on more days of the week. Likewise, they were instructed to intensify their operations against violators, and launch a shame campaign wherein colorum vehicles would be literally hosed-down with soapy foam, to symbolize the cleansing of our streets of these illegally-operated public utility vehicles.

This, of course, is in addition to the standard penalties that the apprehended vehicle drivers should be subjected to – which may include: technical impounding, actual vehicle impounding, driver’s license suspension and corresponding fines.

Only into the first few weeks of its implementation however, a shocking new development was reported by the regional enforcement group – colorum drivers have begun strengthening themselves by carrying firearms and other deadly weapons!

“The streets are getting dangerous everyday,” remarked LTO-NCR Regional Director Atty. Teofilo Guadiz, with much concern. “Our men have encountered drivers who are armed... And making it more difficult is the fact that some of them are military and police personnel, moonlighting as drivers,” he added. Reports have shown that almost 30% of LTO-NCR’s encounters with colorum vehicles involve off-duty or retired, men-in-uniform.

Initially, to prevent any violent confrontations, the LTO-NCR enforcers were instructed to just list down the drivers’ names, for proper reporting to their mother units. “As we did not want to put anyone in harm’s way,” explained Guadiz, “we chose to avoid any altercations and just coordinate with the PNP and AFP, so that they may police their own ranks.” Meanwhile, civilian colorum operators found in possession of firearms were to be turned over to the police, for the filing of appropriate cases.

“And while we understand the need of our brothers in the service to augment their income,” states Guadiz, “we appeal to them to level the playing field by going legitimate and securing the proper franchise.”

Upon receiving reports of such incidents, both the PNP and AFP declared that they will not tolerate any illegal activity among their ranks, and that they will impose serious sanctions on whoever is caught violating the law. This spurred immediate coordination between the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) and LTO-NCR that paved the way for a massive operation last March 13, in cooperation with the MMDA.

In the operation, composite teams were strategically positioned in six major areas, namely: Macapagal Boulevard, Coastal Road, Quirino-Baclaran, Dela Rosa-Makati, Magallanes-Mantrade, and the Domestic Airport. Here, the teams made a total of 98 apprehensions, 59 of which were colorum and out-of-line violators. Several of the said apprehensions were found to be owned and operated by people in the service. They are now subject to further investigation in their respective units.

Guadiz, who personally led the charge, thanked NCRPO Director General Allan Purisima and his men for supporting the operation, and also declared to the public that “This is just the beginning” of his massive anti-colorum campaign.

He further expounded that everyday from that day, teams composed of LTO-NCR enforcers and NCRPO personnel will be deployed on major choke points all over the Metro, not only to make apprehensions, but to make life difficult for the existing colorum violators.

Furthermore, a very determined Guadiz firmly pointed out that they “...will leave no stone unturned in this fight against colorum” and that aside from teaming-up with the PNP, they will also “...coordinate and work with the NBI to go after big syndicates who are reportedly behind these illegal terminals.”

The motoring public may also help in this mission by reporting colorum operators and their known protectors and backers to LTO-NCR’s hotline numbers: 438-8688 and 0915-5832662. Rest assured that all reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Let us help restore order on our roads and protect the livelihood of our legitimate PUV drivers.