20 LTO ‘fixers’ test positive for drugs

CEBU, Philippines — At least 20 fixers at the Land Transportation Office in Lapu-Lapu City were found positive of drugs during the drug test conducted Friday morning by the City of Lapu-Lapu Office on Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP).

CLOSAP head Garry Lao said they conducted drug tests to at least 36 fixers, who claimed themselves as “facilitators”, but 20 of them found positive of which 18 are males and two are females.

Lao said the drug test was prompted by complaints received by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan regarding fixers.

Chan called for a meeting with the police and the said fixers to address the complaints.

During the meeting, Lao said Chan expressed his dismay over reports that some fixers have been into drugs which prompted them to conduct drug tests.

Lao said that CLOSAP is there to assist the rehabilitation needs of those who want to avail the program of the government while the police will be the one to monitor their activities.

LTO-7 Regional Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said he has ordered his chief operations to write to the National Bureau of Investigation-7 in order to get the names of self-confessed LTO fixers and to file appropriate charges.

Caindec also wants to get affidavits to reveal the names of their contacts inside the LTO.

Meanwhile, some LTO-7 officials are facing three months preventive suspension for fraudulent activities.

According to the LTO-7 statement on Friday, the acting chief of the Camotes Island Extension Office, Editha Soco, is facing 90 days preventive suspension for "loafing from duty during regular office hours, dishonesty, and falsification of public documents."

The LTO-7 said Soco received the suspension order and formal charge on January 23, 2023.

Caindec said he cannot yet divulge the details of the case pending investigation.

He also said that two other officials at LTO-7’s Operations Division will face 90-day preventive suspension and possible graft and fraud charges. (FREEMAN)