Three LTO fixers charged

CEBU, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday filed criminal complaints against three suspected fixers operating at the Land Transportation Office in Mandaue City.

The NBI filed the criminal complaints for violation of the Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Law and Estafa, against Roderick Rivera alias Iskoy, Levi Llavore alias Phillip, and Eric Borja before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office.

The three were arrested last Wednesday afternoon during an entrapment operation conducted by a team of NBI led by Special Investigator Arnel Pura.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed before the NBI against them by Bonica Oclarit and Lhodit Ann Wenceslao, all residents of Cebu City, on May 11.

In their complaint, Oclarit and Wenceslao said the suspects promised to facilitate their application for student permit with the LTO.

During the transaction, which was made through text, the complainants were told to pay P400.

However, the complainants already knew that the suspects have already victimized three other student permit applicants.

The three, Carmel Christine Majait, Joy Marie Rosal and Rachelle Anne Diola - who also filed a case for estafa - claimed that they have already paid P400 each for their student permit.

But the suspects reportedly disappeared after receiving the money. The victims said they were told by the LTO that the suspects are not employees of the LTO and are noted fixers.

The victims decided to file a complaint before the NBI, which resulted to the arrest of the suspects. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)