Task force nabs 386 illegal PUVs, 24 extortionists

 The Presidential Task Force Kontra Kotong and Kolorum (PTF-KKK) recently apprehended 386 motor vehicles that are operating illegally as public transport vehicles.

In a report to Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is also PTF-KKK chairman, task force operations head Undersecretary Roy Kyamko said they have also arrested 24 individuals for extorting from public utility vehicle drivers.

Among those arrested were 10 policemen, seven agents of the Land Transportation Office, two local government employees and five civilians.

Meanwhile, the task force exonerated 32 policemen who were investigated for allegedly extorting money from motorists.

Ramon Fernandez, head of the traffic engineering office of the Makati Public Safety group, was arrested by the task force last Dec. 7 while allegedly receiving P15,000 in “protection money” from jeepney drivers. His case has been set for preliminary investigation by the local court.

On the other hand, Larry Sinohin, a barangay traffic enforcer of Barangay E. Rodriguez, Cubao, Quezon City, was apprehended on Dec. 11 after allegedly receiving marked money. He is out on bail pending trial, Kyamko reported.

President Arroyo created the PTF-KKK following complaints by drivers of public transport vehicles that their take-home income – which averaged P13,000 a month – had been substantially reduced by extortionists and by operators of “colorum” or unregistered vehicles.

In a meeting with Reyes and Kyamko, transport operators and representatives of drivers’ associations said they will not ask for a hike in transport fares despite an increase in the price of oil if authorities put a stop to extortion activities and the operation of unregistered vehicles.

Reyes said he will not rest until all kotong and kolorum operations are stopped.

“We have to do what the President has tasked us to do until the time she abolishes the task force,” Reyes said.

Earlier, Kyamko met with mall security managers and legitimate transport operators to devise a scheme whereby the malls would be served only by licensed vehicles.

Security officers from the University Mall (Taft Avenue), SM Central Region, Robinson’s Malls, Harrison Plaza, Ever Gotesco chain of malls, 168 Shopping Mall, Sta. Lucia East, Alcatraz, Araneta Center, and SM Megamall attended the dialogue. Efren de Luna and Orlando Marquez, who represented the transport sector, were also present during the meeting.  – Rhodina Villanueva