LTO issues ‘no release’ policy against impounded colorum vehicles

MANILA: The Land Transportation Office has issued a “no release” policy against impounded colorum vehicles.

According to the agency, vehicles seized during law enforcement operations and found guilty of operating without necessary permits from relevant government agencies will be kept under the custody of LTO despite payment of fines by the registered owner.

The only way the said vehicles will be released — LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Attorney Vigor Mendoza II pointed out — is through a court order.

“Masyado nang matagal at malalim ang problema sa iligal na operasyon ng colorum vehicles sa ating bansa. Kailangan na nating magpatupad ng mas mabigat na kaparusahan tungkol dito upang maipakita sa mga taong patuloy na nilalabag ang batas na seryoso ang ating pamahalaan upang tapusin ang modus nila (The problem with the illegal operation of colorum vehicles in our country has been too long and deep. We need to implement a heavier punishment in this regard to show people who continue to violate the law that our government is serious about putting an end to their modus operandi),” Mendoza said.

Per LTO, various transport groups in the Philippines reported that they are losing up to 30 percent of their daily income due to colorum vehicles.

In response, the LTO head honcho issued a memorandum to the department’s Regional Directors, District Office Heads, and Chiefs explaining that criminal cases must be immediately filed in every successful anti-colorum operation.

“Simple lang po ito: May mga regulasyon patungkol sa operation ng public utility vehicles. Kung hindi po ito sinunod, maliwanag na iligal po ang operasyon nito and this is equivalent to committing a crime. Kaya may karampatang parusa at multa dito (It’s simple: There are regulations regarding the operation of public utility vehicles. If this is not followed, it is clear that its operation is illegal and this is equivalent to committing a crime. So there are appropriate punishments and fines here),” Mendoza noted.

“At kasama sa parusa dito ay ang pagpapatupad natin ng no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations (And included in the punishment here is our implementation of the no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations),” he added.

Mendoza stressed that filing a criminal case after a successful anti-colorum operation is the responsibility of the apprehending officer.

“Failure to do so shall be subject to administrative liability,” he was quoted saying.

Photos from Land Transportation Office - Philippines

Also read:

LTFRB: apprehension of unconsolidated PUVs now in effect

LTO, DMW launch program to streamline DL renewal for OFWs

LTO aims to address DL backlogs earlier than expected