5 LTO fixers nabbed

In a continuing crackdown against fixers, operatives of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) arrested yesterday five suspects allegedly operating inside the LTO central office in Quezon City.

The suspects were nabbed while facilitating transactions inside the main office located on East Avenue, said LTO spokesman Odin Deseo. He declined to provide more details as follow-up operations were ongoing.

"The crackdown against fixers is among the priorities of LTO chief Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya," Deseo said.

The crackdown also follows a city ordinance that bans fixers within government offices in Quezon City.

According to a source at the LTO, one of the arrested suspects was working with the information technology department of the government agency. Officials refused to comment.

Last month operatives of the Quezon City police in coordination with the LTO arrested several suspects engaged in making fake local and international drivers and other LTO documents.

Police investigation showed the suspects have contacts with fixers who offer to facilitate driver’s licenses without having to undergo the necessary test in exchange for money.

The fixer will then hire the services of a forger.

Police also recovered official LTO documents indicating that the suspects had contact with LTO personnel. – Perseus Echeminada