The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has reminded its enforcers not to enter private properties when conducting operations against traffic violators.
“Mas siguroduhin nila na huwag nilang gagawin ang ganoon kasi pwede rin silang mabalikan ng reklamo o kaso,” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said during his visit to Puerto Princesa yesterday, October 21.
He made the statement after a video circulated online showing an LTO enforcer entering a private yard in Barangay Sicsican, Puerto Princesa City, to take details of several parked motorcycles.
Lacanilao said the enforcer involved has been asked to explain his side. The officer reportedly did not issue a ticket but took the motorcycles’ details to prepare a “show cause order,” which is expected to be served soon.
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The LTO chief admitted that both the motorist and the LTO officer have faults in the incident.
He added that LTO does not tolerate such actions and reminded enforcers to follow proper procedure.
“Dahil umiwas sa checkpoint at doon sa ginawa nila ay mayroon din na dapat pananagutan ‘yung may-ari ng motor at saka may kasalanan din ang LTO officer natin dahil pumasok sa private property,” he said.
“Ang mali doon ay pumasok siya sa private property pero ang isyu lang doon ay ‘yung pinapalabas sa video na tinikitan niya na nasa loob. Wala namang ticket na na-issue kundi sinulat lang doon sa cardboard,” Lacanilao said.
He explained that while it is important to intensify traffic law enforcement, it must still be done legally.
“Kinuha niya ang detalye ng motor para sa pagpapadala ng show cause order pero hindi ko sinasabi na huwag kayong manghuli but mas i-intensify n’yo ang panghuhuli pero pag mga ganyan ay kung pwede namang picturan ng malayo at huwag nang papasok sa isang private property ay gawin ninyo,” he said.
The agency will look into the legal aspects of the case, he stated, and decide if disciplinary action is needed.
“Kung may pagkakamali sa part namin ay titingnan din namin ang legalidad nun kung paano namin maisaayos at ma-reprimand,” he said.
Lacanilao also reminded motorists to obey traffic laws to avoid trouble.
