At least two fixers were caught off-guard in an entrapment operation launched by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Tabang in Guiguinto, Bulacan on Monday (July 19).
In a news release, ARTA said that the two suspects – Rey and Anne (not their real names) — approached the undercover ARTA-CIDG agents posing as applicants for student permits on July 14.
ARTA said the fixers ensured the immediate release of the agents’ student permits, including the medical examination and Theoretical Driving Certificate, which normally takes three working days to process.
Rey charged one ARTA-CIDG agent a fee of ₱3,500 while Anne charged the other a fee of ₱4,500. Originally, the permit cost ₱317.63.
“The undercover agents agreed to pay the fixers outside the LTO Tabang on Monday. After receiving the entrapment money, Rey and Anne—who was carrying her one-year-old child—were arrested,” ARTA said.
It added that the suspects were placed under the custody of the CIDG, while the child was turned over to Anne’s mother.
“Nalulungkot ako kasi nakita ko ‘yung bata. Bakit mo isasama ‘yung anak mo sa ganong klaseng operation na alam mo namang bawal?” ARTA Director General Secretary Jeremiah Belgica said, who was present during the entrapment operation.
“Hangga’t may mga fixer na ganyan, hindi ako maco-convince na walang red tape na nangyari,” he said.
Belgica conducted an inspection on LTO Tabang’s pocessing of licenses and permits, and was informed that the branch’s officials are aware that fixers stay outside the office.
In defense, LTO Tabang assistant chief Janelle Louise Estrella said that they have reported fixers to the municipal government.
Belgica said ARTA will issue a show-cause order to the LTO Tabang Division Chief, as well as the barangay officials in the area, for their apparent lack of action on the proliferation of fixers at the said office. (ARTA) / CF – rir
