By Rachel Magday

 

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — Five employees of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 2 were arrested in an entrapment operation after allegedly accepting P40,000 in marked money in exchange for “unhampered operations” and the release of an impounded vehicle, on September 1.

The joint operation by the Bambang Police Station, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Provincial Intelligence Team–Nueva Vizcaya, in coordination with DOTR–CAR and led by PMaj. Randy R. Velarde, took place at about 6 p.m. in front of the Baldovi Terminal Compound on Sulucan Street, Purok 1, Barangay Banggot, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Police said the operation followed walk-in complaints filed at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office, in which motorists alleged the suspects demanded P200,000 for the release of an impounded van or P25,000 as an outright settlement. After an initial transaction, the complainants said the group later agreed to collect P1,000 per unit and P2,000 per green-plate van as a monthly payoff in exchange for unhampered operations.

Investigators prepared P40,000 in marked money—P6,000 in genuine bills and P34,000 in “boodle” or facsimile money—and set a meet-up at the location, police said.

The suspects arrived aboard an LTO-issued Nissan Navara (plate SAA 9655). After the marked cash was handed over, operatives gave the prearranged signal and arrested the five “in flagrante delicto,” or caught red handed alleging violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

A search incidental to arrest, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, yielded firearms, cash, mobile phones, IDs and other items, police said. Among the pieces of evidence logged:

• Two magazines, citation tickets, a driver’s license with photocopy of official receipt, a pouch with two cellphones, cash and IDs
• One caliber .45 pistol loaded with a magazine and seven live rounds, a wallet with IDs, and cash
• Cash in various denominations, two cellphones, and a wallet with IDs
• One touchscreen cellphone
• One caliber .45 pistol with magazine and five live rounds; one Glock 29 (9mm) pistol with three magazines and 21 live rounds; a sling bag with IDs, receipts, a wallet and cash; six genuine P1,000 bills ;34 pieces of boodle money; one plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about 0.69 gram with an estimated value of P4,692; two pipe tubes; two disposable lighters; one inside holster; and one LTO badge.

Other items listed as recovered included a sling bag with a wallet and P16,000 cash; a belt bag with P31,500 cash; a green bag with P20,300 cash; and four touchscreen cellphones.

The suspects were brought to the Bambang Police Station for disposition and documentation. Police said appropriate complaints for alleged violations of RA 3019 and RA 6713 will be prepared, with other possible charges to be determined based on the seized firearms and the suspected illegal drugs pending verification and examination.

Authorities said the operation is part of the Philippine National Police’s intensified anti-criminality drive under Enhanced Managing Police Operations and the PNP chief’s 7-point agenda. All five suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.