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. 

“Why are you so brazen in doing this? You know when I was appointed LTO chief that I had a seven-point program [against corruption]. Now, you are fired from the LTO and you will be charged criminally for this,” he told the erring personnel, lamenting that despite ongoing reforms to fix the agency’s image, they continued to engage in illegal activities.

“We are reforming and changing the image of the agency, and yet you people still persist in your illegal activities,” he added.

The LTO chief assumed office on 10 October and has since overseen internal reviews, exposing several operational deficiencies within the agency.

He then vowed to rid the agency of illegal activities, as well as hold accountable the employees and officials responsible for the irregularities and “horrific scams” victimizing the public.