‘No release’ policy issued by LTO against impounded colorum vehicles

The Land Transportation Office is strengthening its crackdown on colorum vehicles by issuing a “no release” policy on impounded units.

Per the agency, vehicles confiscated through law enforcement operations will be kept under its custody despite payment of fines by the registered owner.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Attorney Vigor Mendoza II made it clear that the only way impounded colorum vehicles can be released is through a court order.

“Masyado nang matagal at malalim ang problema sa iligal na operasyon ng colorum vehicles sa ating bansa. Kailangan na nating magpatupad ng mas mabigat na kaparusahan tungkol dito upang maipakita sa mga taong patuloy na nilalabag ang batas na seryoso ang ating pamahalaan upang tapusin ang modus nila (The problem with the illegal operation of colorum vehicles in our country has been too long and deep. We need to implement a heavier punishment in this regard to show people who continue to violate the law that our government is serious about putting an end to their modus operandi),” Mendoza noted.

According to the LTO various transport groups are losing up to 30 percent of their daily incomes because of ongoing operations from colorum vehicles. Although they do not have proper permits and authorizations from relevant government agencies, these vehicles continue to pickup and drop off passengers, taking away a chunk of the supposed earnings by registered transport organizations.

On that note, the LTO boss issued a memorandum to the its Regional Directors, District Office Heads, and Chiefs explaining that criminal cases must be immediately filed in every successful anti-colorum operation.

“Simple lang po ito: May mga regulasyon patungkol sa operation ng public utility vehicles. Kung hindi po ito sinunod, maliwanag na iligal po ang operasyon nito and this is equivalent to committing a crime. Kaya may karampatang parusa at multa dito (It’s simple: There are regulations regarding the operation of public utility vehicles. If this is not followed, it is clear that its operation is illegal and this is equivalent to committing a crime. So there are appropriate punishments and fines here),” Mendoza said.

“At kasama sa parusa dito ay ang pagpapatupad natin ng no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations (And included in the punishment here is our implementation of the no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations),” he added.

The LTO Chief stressed that filing a criminal case after a successful anti-colorum operation is the responsibility of the apprehending officer.

“Failure to do so shall be subject to administrative liability,” he expained.

Photos from Land Transportation Office - Philippines Facebook Page

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