"YOUR time in prison will come."
This warning was issued by Land Transportation Office (LTO) Officer-In-Charge and concurrent Executive Director Romeo G. Vera Cruz against fixers victimizing applicants of driver's licenses and motorists acquiring vehicle registration.
This was after Vera Cruz announced the arrest of a team of online fixers on July 6, 2022.
According to the officer, the operation was conducted jointly by the LTO Investigation and Intelligence Division (IID) led by former Department of Transportation (DOTr) Director for Investigation Service Renante Melitante, together with the Quezon City-Diliman Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT) headed by PLT Michael E. Bernardo.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals offering non-appearance renewal of motor vehicle registration through online payment and meet-up.
The suspects were identified as Jefferson Uy, 38, and a resident of Pleasant Hills Subdivision in Bulacan; and Arnel Miranda, 55, a resident of Fairview, Quezon City.
Vera Cruz stated that during the LTO-QCDACT Joint Task Force operations, a member of the task force engaged Uy's services for non-appearance renewal of motor vehicle registration through the Messenger app.
After finalizing the deal, Uy informed the agent that the motor vehicle is renewed and the original receipt (OR) is ready for pick-up.
This led to the suspect's apprehension, Vera Cruz said.
During interrogation, Uy named Miranda as the person who processed the transaction at the LTO Novaliches District office, Quezon City.
Melitante said both suspects are now under the custody of the QCDACT for violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code on deceit/swindling (estafa) and Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery (EODB EGSD) Act of 2018, both in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
Melitante said the suspects will undergo Inquest Proceedings before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office.
Vera Cruz advised LTO clients to transact directly with the Agency and not with spurious social media accounts and individuals.
“To all LTO clients, please refrain from patronizing fixers for your own protection. You may also be equally liable under the law,” he stressed.
Ver Cruz warned individuals and employees not to engage in fixing activities as they will be dealt with under the full force of the law.
“The LTO will relentlessly operate against these spurious individuals in our effort to clean up the bureaucracy to protect our clients,” Vera Cruz said.