MANILA, Philippines — In a decisive blow against illegal manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit motor vehicle plates and documents, agents of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two individuals during Wednesday’s operation in Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City.
The operation was carried out under a memorandum circular which ensures that only authorized license plates are in circulation and to suppress the underground trade of fake plates and fraudulent documents, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said on Thursday.
Prior to the raid, Lacanilao said the agency received intelligence reports regarding the illicit activity which was immediately verified by LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division headed by Renante Melitante.
Wasting no time, he said the LTO Law Enforcement Service (LES) coordinated with CIDG and carried out an entrapment operation and raid at a rented space in the Malabon village.
Reports showed that the two suspects were caught while allegedly completing an illegal transaction wherein marked money amounting to P500 and five pairs of counterfeit license plates were seized from them.
Further investigation revealed that the rented space was being used as a makeshift workshop and storage facility for counterfeit plates and LTO documents—including fake driver's licenses—before these were distributed to buyers.
Lacanilao personally proceeded to the operation site to inspect the confiscated items.
"I will not allow the name of the LTO to be used in illegal activities. We will go after those who use, manufacture, and sell fake plates and documents, and we will make sure they are held accountable," the top LTO official vowed.
He then urged the public to refrain from engaging with individuals offering counterfeit plates or documents and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the agency.
The LTO expressed its gratitude to the concerned citizens who provided vital information and to its partner law enforcement agencies for their support in upholding the rule of law.
