A student permit fixer was arrested outside the Land Transportation Office in Tayuman, Manila in an entrapment operation on Thursday morning.
Authorities identified the suspect as alias “Tapong.”
Investigation showed that an agent from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) was deployed to survey the area after the office received information on alleged fixing activities there on 26 July 2021.
“Tapong” approached the agent on 30 July 2021 and offered to fast track the processing of their application for student permit in exchange for P4,500. Normally, a student permit only costs P317.63.
The plan to launch an entrapment operation against the suspect was postponed following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila from 6 to 20 August.
The agent agreed to meet with the fixer outside the LTO Tayuman on Thursday morning.
“Tapong” was eventually arrested by elements of ARTA and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at around 9:27 a.m. after receiving the marked money.
The suspect is now under custody of the CIDG and will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
ARTA has been intensifying its crackdown on fixers lurking around government offices in the past few months.
Earlier, the Department of Transportation signified its support for the Authority’s anti-fixer campaign and assured that the LTO and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will also participate in the campaign. (ARTA)-rir
