The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has initiated an investigation into the theft of license plates at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. believes a syndicate was involved and is selling each pair of stolen vehicle plates between P5,000 to P10,000 to buyers.
Three LTO personnel were recently caught red-handed while trying to illegally bring out five pairs of stolen license plates from the agency’s plate-making plant.
The suspects were arrested during an operation conducted by the combined operatives of the LTO and DILG-Special Projects Group. Two of the suspects were embossers at the facility while the other was a warehouse staff.
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.
Abalos said the investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the syndicate’s operations and identify the cohorts, including the mastermind. He is confident they have a strong case against the suspects based on the evidence gathered.
The DILG chief ordered the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to coordinate with the office of LTO assistant secretary Vigor Mendoza II and help the latter in recovering previously stolen plates.
Abalos also advised the public, especially would-be vehicle buyers, to first check with LTO on the validity of QR Codes inked in the LTO plate numbers before making any purchase.