Land Transportation Office Chief Assistant Secretary, Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, on Tuesday ordered the filing of appropriate criminal charges against a man who allegedly posed as an enforcer of an agency to extort money from motorists in Cubao, Quezon City.

At the same time, Mendoza urged all the victims of Jurdinito Rid Macula to cooperate with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) investigators to strengthen the cases that would be filed against him.

Macula was apprehended at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday by a motorist who smelled something fishy after the former refused to show his identification card and failed to prove that he was allowed to be on duty at night.

Macula reportedly claimed that he is an LTO enforcer assigned to the National Capital Region and flagged down the victim for allegedly using an unauthorized side mirror.

LTO National Capital Region Regional Director Roque Verzosa III said the verification he made with the roster of all employees revealed that Macula is not in any way connected with the LTO.

"Tinitiyak ko na mananagot ang taong ito sa kanyang pagdungis sa pangalan ng LTO. All the possible charges will be filed against him. Personal kong tututukan ang kasong ito dahil gusto kong maturuan ng matinding leksyon ang taong ito," an angry Mendoza said after learning of the incident.

"We have been conducting aggressive operations against fixers and we are putting all systems in place to deny any opportunity for corruption in the agency. Kaya hindi tayo papayag na may isang impostor ng sisira sa pangalan ng LTO," he added.

Mendoza also urged all motorists to immediately report any extortion and other illegal activities being conducted using the name of the LTO, whether the perpetrator is an imposter or an employee of the agency.

"We do not tolerate any form of illegal activity. So I am urging all our motorists to immediately inform us about any illegal activity and I assure you of our immediate action," said Mendoza.

Mendoza said Macula is now detained at the QCPD Station 7 in Cubao and facing criminal charges, including usurpation of authority.