Nine personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Butuan City were arrested during an anti-extortion operation in Alubijid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on June 18.
According to information obtained by Brigada News, the suspects were conducting roadside enforcement operations in the area when an entrapment operation was launched by the LTO National Office in coordination with the Buenavista Municipal Police Station and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13.
Authorities said the suspects were caught allegedly accepting money from a driver, leading to their arrest at the scene.
The arrested personnel are facing charges of direct bribery and violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The operation stemmed from complaints filed by drivers who alleged that some LTO enforcers were extorting money from motorists passing through the area.
Several drivers interviewed by Brigada Butuan claimed that it had become common practice for motorists to prepare money before passing through the checkpoint because of the alleged activities of the enforcers.
Some drivers also alleged that motorists with traffic violations would automatically hand over money when passing through the area.
Authorities have not released the identities of the arrested personnel as of this writing.
The LTO National Office, local police and other law enforcement units carried out the operation following reports of alleged irregularities involving roadside enforcement activities.
The suspects remain under police custody while the appropriate charges are being processed.
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and statements related to the case as legal proceedings move forward.
