LTO sacks 68 central office enforcers over corruption
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has dismissed 68 enforcers assigned to its central office in Quezon City over alleged involvement in corruption.
In a statement on Friday, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the termination of contract of the 68 enforcers came after the agency conducted a performance evaluation following the consolidated reports of motorists, netizens and mystery agents he deployed about their personnel’s wrongdoings, especially in connection to bribery and extortion.
“This is part of our efforts to weed out corruption and to professionalize LTO’s enforcement team,” Mendoza noted in the statement.
“Enough is enough. I will not allow any abuses and wrongdoings to compromise our positive gains from the hard work and sacrifices of our LTO family,” he added.
According to Mendoza, he will personally take part in the hiring process of the LTO Law Enforcement Service’s new personnel “to ensure that only the qualified and those who value integrity and hard work will be given the opportunity to work in the agency.”
“Only those who would successfully pass the interview and are found suitable and qualified shall be considered,” Mendoza emphasized.
“This is part of our continuing effort to gain the trust and confidence of the people we serve. We are on the right path, and I will make sure, with the help of the men and women of the LTO family, that we shall prevail,” he added.
Abusive behavior
In June, then Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon sacked two LTO officials in Cagayan Valley region over their alleged assault of a minor and another person in a karaoke lounge.
Dizon ordered the immediate relief of LTO Region 2 Assistant Regional Director Manuel Baricaua and Chief Enforcer Charles Ursolum from their post.
He said a letter addressed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was sent to the Office of the President seeking the permanent removal of Baricaua.
In a video that went viral on social media, Baricaua and Ursolum were seen kicking a 15-year-old male, with reports alleging that they also assaulted a 20-year-old male—both companions of a 20-year-old female singer who refused the advances of the two LTO officials at a karaoke lounge.
At a press conference at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City, Dizon said an investigation has been launched, but video evidence against the LTO officials has prompted their automatic relief from their posts.
“We have also asked [Mendoza] to reach out to the victims and assist in any way in the filing of charges—I would assume physical assault charges against these two people. There’s no excuse para dito (for this),” he said.
He emphasized that the actions of government officials reflect their government position, and they have more responsibilities, especially when they engage in illegal activities.
