3 LTO personnel sacked for extortion

Two employees and a security guard assigned to the Central Office of the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City were dismissed and are now facing criminal charges for allegedly extorting money from public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators.

- By AARON RECUENCO

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao confronted the three erring personnel after the complainants asked for his assistance on Friday, Dec. 5, alleging that they tried to extort money from them.

The complainants are drivers and operators of passenger jeepneys who are mandated to undergo a seminar for committing traffic violations in exchange for the release of their impounded vehicles.

And based on the complaints, the LTO personnel allegedly told them that they had the option not to attend the seminar if they would pay them P1,000 each.

Lacanilao said the LTO personnel were identified by the complainants.

He said he immediately ordered the agency's Intelligence and Investigation Division to investigate and file appropriate charges against the erring LTO personnel.