It’s no secret that biyaheros, the motorists and truck drivers responsible for moving goods across the country, are often the target of corrupt law enforcers for a quick buck. Now, this latest news will be welcomed by these same biyaheros traveling through the Caraga Region.

Yesterday, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Markus Lacanilao, ordered an entrapment operation, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), against nine members of the agency’s Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES) in Caraga. The operation was launched following multiple complaints alleging that the personnel were extorting money from truck drivers passing through Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

According to LTO, an initial investigation found that the nine personnel had been collecting money from truckers while performing their duties. Authorities recovered marked money used in the operation, alleged collection money, mobile phones, two-way radios, and other items that may be used as evidence in the filing of charges.

“Our policy at the LTO is clear: there is no room for corruption within our ranks. Anyone proven to have violated the law and the trust bestowed upon them by the public will be held accountable both administratively and criminally. We will not tolerate any form of abuse of authority, and we will continue to cleanse our ranks in order to preserve the integrity of the agency,” said Lacanilao.

Following the operation, the LTO chief ordered the immediate filing of administrative charges against the personnel involved, separate from the criminal cases they now face. He also assured the agency’s full cooperation with law enforcement authorities to help ensure the swift and impartial resolution of the cases.