11 ‘fixers’ nabbed in LTO, LTFRB raids

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven suspected fixers were arrested and fake driver’s licenses, vehicle license plates and other counterfeit documents were seized in two operations in Quezon City yesterday.

The alleged fixers were arrested at around 9:30 a.m. in the compounds of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Janus Celis, Joselito Lerios, Ryan Ersando, Ronaldo Alba, Lito Masula, Marife Tangca, Tomas Salazar, Richelle Cobacha, Dolores Labrado, Rinz Gerald Aquino and Carlos Parnazano face charges of violating Republic Act 9485, the anti-red tape law, said Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director.

Meanwhile, QCPD and LTO personnel raided the Ian and Boy Tiansing shop along Mapagmahal street in Barangay Pinyahan at around 10:30 a.m.

The lawmen were armed with search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 230 Judge Cleto Villacorta III for falsification of documents under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and Economic Sabotage under Presidential Decree 1730 .

Among the seized items are several counterfeit LTO official receipts, LTO certificates of registration, driver’s licenses, vehicle license plates, stickers for private and public utility vehicle numbers, a computer, a laminator and a .38 caliber revolver with three bullets.

Police staged the raid based on a tip that the shop was manufacturing fake LTO and LTFRB documents.