THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has launched an investigation into 40 of its district offices following intelligence reports of illegal vehicle title transfers, described by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a form of “technical carnapping.”
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II announced that show-cause orders will be issued to the heads of the implicated offices to explain the confirmed intelligence reports.
The investigation stems from ongoing LTO-PNP collaboration to enforce traffic regulations and combat illegal activities involving vehicles.
Mendoza revealed that several LTO district offices are suspected of unauthorized processing of Cancellation of Transfer of Ownership and Duplication of Certificates of Registration. This modus operandi involves illegally transferring recovered vehicles to new owners using fraudulent duplicate Certificates of Registration and supporting documentation to make the transactions appear legitimate.
Mendoza stated that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon has been informed and has instructed that airtight criminal and administrative charges be filed against those involved. Mendoza emphasized the LTO’s commitment to addressing this issue, stating that they will not tolerate the use of the LTO for illegal activities.
Administrative charges, including potential dismissal, will be pursued under Civil Service and LTO Memorandum Circular No. MC-91-137 (June 6, 1991), and constitute a violation of the LTO Citizen Charter. Initial investigations have identified 40 vehicles involved, with the majority of illegal transfers concentrated in the CARAGA Region (15), Region 9 (8), Regions 2 and 11 (4 each), Regions 1, 3, and 10 (2 each), and Regions 4A, 8, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (1 each). Show-cause orders will also be issued to the newly registered owners of these vehicles, Mendoza added.
