MALABON CITY, Philippines — Two individuals were arrested in an entrapment operation by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit LTO plates and documents in Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City on September 2, 2026.
The operation was conducted as part of the strict implementation of Memorandum Circular No. MVL-2026-5314 under the leadership of LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, to ensure the use of authorized plates and suppress the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit plates and documents.
The operation began after the LTO received information regarding the illegal activity which was immediately verified and subjected to investigation led by Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) Chief, Renante G. Melitante. After confirming the information, the LTO Law Enforcement Service (LES), in collaboration with the CIDG, conducted an entrapment operation led by Police Captain Von Isaac S. Lagmay.
During the actual operation, two individuals were apprehended while the transaction was in progress. Evidence included marked money worth five hundred pesos (₱500.00) and five pairs of fake license plates.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that a rented space was being used as a workshop and storage for fake license plates and LTO documents before being distributed to buyers. This included fake driver’s licenses.
Assistant Secretary Lacanilao personally went to the operation site to see for himself the confiscated fake license plates and the results of the operation.
After the operation, the arrested persons and the confiscated evidence were brought to the CIDG-Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) office for appropriate processing. The arrested persons also underwent examination by the PNP Forensic Group before being placed in custody, while the appropriate case is being prepared against those involved based on the results of the investigation.
“I will not allow the name of the LTO to be used in illegal activities. We will go after those who use, manufacture, and sell fake license plates and documents and ensure that they are held accountable,” said Asec. Lacanilao.
“We will do our job, I will continuously improve the LTO system because this kind of nonsense has no place in us,” he added.
Finally, the LTO encourages the public to avoid transacting with those offering fake license plates or documents and to immediately report to the agency anyone involved in illegal transactions.
The LTO thanks the citizens who provide information and its partner agencies in law enforcement. The agency continues to work to hold violators accountable, because for the LTO, every violation has a corresponding liability.
