LTO impounds 284 colorum vehicles

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) impounded 284 motor vehicles during its month-long anti-colorum operations nationwide in July 2025.

LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, said the crackdown ensures that all public utility vehicles comply with government regulations, especially road safety protocols.

“These colorum vehicles are not safe to ride because, aside from issues of roadworthiness — since many of them have expired registrations — they also lack insurance, which is one of the requirements for public utility vehicles,” Mendoza said.

Seventy-nine of the vehicles apprehended were tricycles, while 51 were motorcycles being used as motorcycle taxis.

Authorities also impounded 60 vans or UV Express units, 56 trucks, and 16 sedan-type private vehicles being illegally used to transport passengers.

Eleven passenger jeepneys and four buses were also seized.

Several accidents involving colorum vehicles — where victims received no assistance due to the lack of insurance — have further motivated the LTO to intensify its campaign.

Mendoza warned that operating colorum vehicles is a criminal offense, citing court convictions of both operators and drivers, which resulted in fines and jail terms.