11 LTO agents nabbed for extortion in Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY ,Philippines  – Police yesterday arrested 11 operatives of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for allegedly extorting money from motorists in Matalam, North Cotabato.

 North Cotabato Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza, who chanced upon the suspects on Thursday, ordered the Matalam police to arrest the suspects, some of them armed with pistols, when they failed to present a written order from the North Cotabato LTO provincial office to put up a checkpoint in the area.

The LTO agents were identified as Yusoph Mamaluba, Ferdan Reformado, Eddie Waguia, Teng Mastura, Roy Pedtamanan, William Esmael, Abdullah Paunti, Alamada Israel, Salapon Mulod, Jordan Jainal and Badrudin Ali.

They were charged with usurpation of authority.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo here, Mendoza said the two LTO agents who tested positive for shabu would also be charged for illegal drug use.

She said the municipal chief of the LTO in Matalam, Andih Batokapal, will also be included in the complaint sheet for possible connivance with the suspects.

Reports said Mendoza had been receiving complaints from motorists regarding the alleged mulcting activities of the LTO agents in the highways of North Cotabato.  – With Ramil Bajo