Government agencies join hands to stop ‘kotong’ cops, colorum vehicles

Various government agencies have joined hands to finally stop “kotong” (extortion) by some police officers and traffic enforcers and colorum vehicles, which cost an ordinary taxi or jeepney driver P7,000 a month.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said the move was meant to once and for all end extortion and the operation of colorum or unregistered taxis and jeepneys, imposing a burden on taxi and jeepney drivers who are demanding an increase in minimum fares to compensate.

“We promise to eradicate the problem on ‘kotong’ and colorum by Dec. 15 or a month after this launching,” said Reyes, who added that the transport sector has been clamoring for the government to end this problem. Cecille Suerte Felipe