Four alleged fixers were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by joint operatives of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Calabarzon and police units in Biñan City, Laguna, on Tuesday, June 16.

In a report, the LTO-Calabarzon said personnel from its Cabuyao District Office, in coordination with agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Laguna Provincial Field Unit, arrested the suspects after they were allegedly caught offering illegal services for the processing and renewal of driver’s licenses in exchange for money.

During the operation, authorities said the suspects were arrested after receiving marked money from a police poseur-buyer. Investigators also reported that boodle money was used during the transaction.

Recovered from the suspects were marked money, boodle money, copies of LTO official receipts, and temporary operator’s permits (TOP), which will be used as evidence in the filing of charges.

According to LTO-Calabarzon Regional Director Elmer Decena, the entrapment stemmed from complaints that the suspects had been soliciting payments in exchange for expedited license renewal processing.

“Walang puwang ang mga fixer sa LTO. Patuloy tayong makikipagtulungan sa ating mga partner law enforcement agencies upang mapanagot ang sinumang magsasamantala sa publiko at masiguro na ang bawat transaksyon sa ahensya ay legal, patas, at transparent,” Decena said.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Section 21(h) of Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

The LTO reiterated its warning to the public to avoid dealing with fixers and to conduct all transactions only through official government channels to avoid legal liability and help maintain the integrity of public service.