LTO ramps up anti-colorum campaign

MANILA: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) warned drivers and operators of colorum public utility vehicles (PUV) anew to stop their illegal operations after recently filing a criminal complaint against a driver and owner of a passenger van in Quezon City.

According to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, the case was filed for a violation of Section 18 relating to Section 24 of Commonwealth Act 146 as amended by Republic Act 11659, also known as the Public Service Act.

The passenger van with license plate CAY 7185 and a total of 17 passengers was flagged down by an LTO officer in Balintawak, Quezon City.

According to the LTO, the operation was ignited by intelligence reports exposing the widespread use of colorum vehicles on the routes of Quezon City to Bulacan and vice versa.

Benito Ollete, the driver of the passenger van, was able to present his driver’s license and the official receipt and certificate of registration of the vehicle, but he failed to show a document proving that the van could be operated as PUV.

In the initial investigation, it was revealed that Ollete had been transporting people from Balintawak to Marilao for a fee of P70 per passenger.

The van was then impounded. Julhapas Tantong of Marilao, Bulacan was identified as the owner of the vehicle.

The penalty for the case filed against Ollete and Tantong before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office is a fine not exceeding P2 million or imprisonment of not lower than six years and one day and not higher than 12 years.

“Ito ay isang patunay lamang na seryoso ang inyong LTO na wakasan ang ganitong klaseng iligal na gawain na nakakaperwisyo sa mga legitimate transport operators (This is just a proof that the LTO is serious about putting an end to this kind of illegal activity that affects legitimate transport operators),” Mendoza stated.

Photos from Land Transportation Office

Also read:

LTO seeks to extend online registration renewal for PUVs

LTO to review enforcement of temporary operator’s permit for traffic violators

1,700 traffic violators apprehended in Metro Manila in May - LTO