Fixer of fake driver's license nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Police announced yesterday the arrest of a Land Transportation Office (LTO) fixer who was found to be manufacturing fake driver’s license and other motor vehicle documents at his own home.

The suspect, identified as Jose Buena, 29, a resident of No. 22 Mapang-akit street Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, was collared Tuesday afternoon.

Quezon City Police District officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Arrazad Subong said Kamuning police station commander Superintendent Crisostomo Mendoza, received information about illegal transactions in applying for driver’s license perpetrated by ‘fixers’ within the vicinity of the LTO main office in Quezon City. This prompted them to deploy a team of follow-up operatives led by Inspector Ernesto Santos Jr. who chanced upon Buena while in possession of several pieces of driver’s license bearing different names and several pieces of vehicle official receipts and certificates of registration (OR/CR).

The suspect was questioned but instead of cooperating, Subong said the man tried to escape which resulted in a brief chase.

Buena allegedly ran toward his house where apprehending police officers discovered and confiscated a computer unit with printer and scanner, a laminating machine, blank LTO official receipts, blank plastic used for making drivers licenses, and plastics with LTO hologram marks allegedly used in printing, and for the production of counterfeit drivers’ license.

Subong said the suspect has been charged for violation of a city ordinance which bans fixers in any government office and falsification of public documents before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.