TWO persons were arrested in Baguio City for having fake professional driver's license.
The suspects were nabbed July 23 in an entrapment operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) acting on a tip regarding the operation of unscrupulous group facilitating change classification of driver's license from non-pro to professional.
CIDG launched an entrapment operation in San Vicente, Camp 8, Baguio City and arrested the two suspects in possession of eight professional driver's license. In a follow-up operation, CIDG also arrested the alleged leader.
Upon verification of the license in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) system, it was found out that all licenses are not recorded in their system.
CIDG, in a report, said most of the suspects clients are errand riders who wants to convert their non-pro to professional license.
A fake license costs P4,000 and were allegedly printed in Avenida, Manila.
Violation of Republic Act (RA) 9285 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and violation of Article 171 and 172 of the Revise Penal Code or falsification of public documents were filed against the suspects.
LTO-Cordillera Director Francis Ray Almora, meanwhile, clarified that any person who is hired or paid for driving or operating a motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to the public should posses a professional driver as embodied under RA 4136 or the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code Act."
Almora said because of the strict requirements of LTO, syndicates are now targeting drivers who cannot pass the LTO Written Examination but who wish to become a partner of food delivery services.
The LTO official urged the public, especially drivers who seek a license to transact only to LTO personnel inside the office as prescribed by the new procedure under the Land Transportation Management System.
Victims of this modus are also advised to coordinate with CIDG-Cordillera under Police Colonel Melvin Napiloy for filing of appropriate case against the respondents. (VoxPop Baguio)