Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao has ordered the immediate dismissal of two LTO employees and a security guard who were accused by several jeepney drivers and operators of "extorting money in exchange for helping them pass agency examinations."

According to the agency, many of the complainants were public utility jeepney drivers whose vehicles had earlier been impounded for various traffic violations.

As part of the process to recover their vehicles, the drivers were required to undergo a seminar and examination at the LTO’s Traffic Safety Division in the agency’s central office.

The LTO chief personally met with the complainants in his office on Friday afternoon, December 5. During the meeting, the drivers directly identified the LTO personnel and the guard who allegedly demanded money from them.

Lacanilao condemned the act as a blatant form of corruption within the agency. He immediately ordered the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division to conduct a full investigation to determine the extent of the scheme and identify any additional personnel who may be involved.

“Bakit ang lakas ng loob niyo gumawa ng ganyan? Ano naglolokohan lang tayo dito? O ngayon sabihin ko sa inyo, tanggal ka sa LTO may kaso pa ngayon," Lacanilao said.

"Nagre-reform tayo? Ang lakas pa rin ng loob ninyo? At wala kayong pinipili ha? Malaki, maliit wala kayong pakialam," he added.

The LTO chief emphasized that both administrative and criminal complaints will be filed against the three implicated individuals.