TMG can arrest colorum PUVs — LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said yesterday the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been given the authority to apprehend "colorum" public utility vehicles.

LTO executive director Jimmy Pesigan said some 40 TMG officers have been deputized by the LTO for its anti-colorum campaign.

TMG officers, who are part of LTO’s National Anti-Colorum Strategy (NACS) squad, have also been given authority to apprehend colorum vehicles.

Pesigan issued the statement in reaction to a complaint by a Metro Manila public utility bus company that criticized the TMG over an arrest. The owner argued that the TMG cannot apprehend colorum PUVs since this authority belongs only to the LTO.

Pesigan said any traffic enforcer deputized by the LTO has the authority to apprehend PUVs committing "non-moving violations," including those out-of-line, those with fake license plates and unregistered motor vehicles.

Last week, the TMG impounded several buses found to be sporting identical license plates. — Sandy Araneta