The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Saturday said two of its employees and a security guard were dismissed from service over allegations of extortion involving public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators.

LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, immediately ordered the dismissal and filing of appropriate charges.

The complainants, who went to Lacanilao’s office on 5 December, said their vehicles had been impounded for various traffic violations that required them to undergo seminars and pass examinations at the LTO’s Traffic Safety Division before their units could be released.

Instead, the drivers were allegedly told by the personnel that they could skip the required seminar and automatically pass the exam in exchange for P1,000 each.

Lacanilao said the drivers positively identified the individuals involved. He then directed the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division to file administrative and criminal charges against the three.

In a recorded confrontation, Lacanilao questioned the personnel over the scheme and informed them of their dismissal.

Meanwhile, the LTO denied recent social media posts claiming that the agency will soon implement new regulations targeting imported cars, illegal vehicle modifications, and tire age limits.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao clarified in a statement Saturday that no such policies, directives, or memos have been issued.

“The LTO clarifies that these claims are not true. No such directive, policy, or memo has been issued,” he said.

Lacanilao warned the public against accepting and sharing unverified posts, urging them to verify information with official LTO channels.

“Do not accept these claims without checking with the LTO and other proper authorities,” he stressed.

Lacanilao’s remarks came after widespread social media rumors alleged that the LTO and the Highway Patrol Group would start randomly stopping imported, project, and exotic vehicles to check importation and tax documents, cross-check engine numbers, and penalize illegal modifications such as loud exhausts.

Other posts circulating online claimed that vehicle registrations would be affected and that tires older than five years would be deemed “not roadworthy.”

Citing these reports as baseless, Lacanilao noted that he had not signed or issued any documents related to these supposed rules.