Abalos vows to crush license plate syndicate

INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos has vowed to “totally dismantle” the syndicate engaged in stealing license plates inside the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Abalos also warns the remaining ring members and masterminds: “Surrender now because wherever you may hide, we will hunt you down.”

Abalos issued the warning over the weekend after the arrest of three LTO personnel who were caught in the act of stealing five pairs of license plates from the agency’s plate-making plant in quezon City.

Two of the suspects were embossers at the facility, while the other was a warehouse staff.

They were nabbed during an operation conducted by the combined operatives of the LTO and the Special Projects Group of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Charges of five counts of qualified theft under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code and the illegal production of LTO plate numbers under Section 31 of Republic Act 4136 are being readied against the suspects.

A manhunt operation has been launched for another LTO employee who reportedly served as the team leader.

Abalos said that an investigation is ongoing and authorities are determined to find out the extent of the operations of the syndicate and identify their cohorts, including the mastermind who remains at large.

Based on an initial police investigation, the suspects are linked to a scheme involving newly acquired motor vehicles through financing.

The head of the syndicate will acquire a vehicle through financing and will illegally sell the vehicle using fake receipts and replicated plates procured from his contact inside LTO for P20,000 per pair.

Abalos expressed confidence that they have an airtight case against the suspects, considering the strong evidence that the LTO Intelligence Division and DILG Special Projects Group have gathered so far.

Further, he said that he has directed the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to coordinate with LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza 2nd and assist in the recovery of previously stolen plates.

Abalos advised the public to first check with the LTO on the validity of qR codes inked into the LTO plate numbers before making any purchase.