iMAGE FROM caraganewscourier.com Elements of the PNP Highway Patrol Group apprehended a colorum van being used to pick up passengers during an Inter-Agency Council Traffic (IACT) operation in an undisclosed highway on Tuesday.

Initial reports from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed the van is a private vehicle, which means it may not be used for public utility purposes.

The HPG confirmed passengers inside the apprehended van were actually paying fares.

Worse, upon inspection of the vehicle, the team discovered a used police uniform, a PNP commemorative plate and an unlicensed radio communication device.

Thomas Orbos, undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and overall chairman of IACT, is closely monitoring the investigation of the case.

“Internal cleansing within our ranks is one of the goals of IACT,” Orbos said, citing President Duterte’s marching order to rid the streets of colorum vehicles.

“The President is asking to remove colorum vehicles, more so if these vehicles are being driven by policemen or fake policemen,” Orbos added.

DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade warned people in government service to obey the law or face the consequences.

“If those behind colorum vehicles are government people, they deserve severe punishment,” Tugade stressed.