Officers of Task Force Alpha yesterday denied accusations that they are being abusive as deputized agents of the Land Transportation Office.
Efren Navales, incoming president of TFA, yesterday said they are merely assisting the flow of traffic in the different cities with the approval and authority of the different police chief.
In Cebu City for instance, Navales said they have authority from Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
“Nagtinarong intawon mi sa among trabaho. Ours is merely public service,” Navales said adding they are volunteer groups who are not receiving any salary from the government.
Navales explained that their 35-strong task force is thoroughly screened. For one to be a member of the task force, he must must have a source of income so he cannot be bribed.
TFA has honorary members like Cebu City councilor Jun Pe and city attorney Ralph Sevilla, among others.
TFA, which was organized eight years ago has been a recipient of various local and national awards including as the Best LTO Deputized Agents nationwide.
LTO regional director Alex Leyson had earlier said he will continue engaging the services of deputized agents until next year despite several complaints of abuses allegedly committed by some deputized agents.
Leyson said the deputation next year will be limited to government employees and members of non-government organizations, and that no deputized agent will be allowed to operate on their own or without any organic personnel of the LTO present.
Deputized agents will be utilized only to assist in the operations of the agency’s organic personnel, said Leyson as he admitted receiving complaints from the public about abuses of these men.
Capitol consultant on security matters Byron Garcia recently complained about abuses allegedly committed by some “rich Chinese” deputized agents and asked that their deputation be recalled.
Garcia got angry when a deputized agent he named as Neil Ong of Capitol-LTO, arrested a Capitol driver for alleged reckless driving. Ong had already apologized to Garcia later through a text message. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP