LTO’s Region 7 head axed

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza has relieved the Region 7 director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) from his post after it was discovered that numerous smuggled cars had gotten registration papers from the regional office.      

Mendoza ordered the relief of Alex Leyson, Central Visayas director of the LTO, reportedly in connection with the registration of imported luxury and sports cars that were recently seized in Makati City for alleged violation of Customs regulations.

The Department of Transportation and Communication’s Investigation, Security and Law Enforcement Service (ISLES) is conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of LTO-Region 7 officials in the registration of the luxury and sports cars.

Also included in the investigation are the LTO offices in the Cebu cities of Toledo, Mandaue, Cebu, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu.

Mendoza said criminal and administrative charges will be filed against those found responsible for the irregularity.

“I have given the DOTC-ISLES five working days to conduct the investigation and submit the investigation report to my office,” he said.

Aside from the ISLES probe, the DOTC is also reviewing the procedures in the registration of imported luxury vehicles so as to formulate more stringent measures and safety nets.

Operatives of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) seized 84 luxury cars, 81 of which were allegedly imported illegally, from the repair shop of Auto Sports 24 Corp. in Pasong Tamo, Makati City last month.

Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., PASG chief, said the vehicles were worth “hundreds of millions of pesos.”      

“Out of the 84 vehicles, 81 were found lacking the necessary documents to prove that they were imported legally. As to why these questionable vehicles managed to enter the country illegally is for some ‘bright boys’ to explain,” Villar said in a statement.

Sources claimed that 30 of the seized cars, including high-end models, could be priced anywhere between P70 million and P100 million.

PASG members, armed with a warrant of seizure and detention, raided the auto repair shop and seized 21 BMWs, 16 Mercedes Benzes, 11 Porsche sports cars, four Jaguars, three Volvos, and a Lamborghini.

Ferraris, Carera, Boxter, Land Cruisers, Range Rovers, Cherokee and a Mini Cooper were also reportedly recovered.

Villar said the seized Lamborghini alone was considered a “hot” car as its owner could not present a single document to prove that it was legally brought in.

Villar said the car’s license plate was also found to have been issued to another legally registered vehicle.       

Nadji Kasauf, one of the foreign officials of Auto Sports 24, said their firm specializes on repairing high-end vehicles.       

Edmund Arugay, PASG operations chief, said he would give the owners of the luxury vehicles a chance to present documents on their importation.

“Otherwise, these vehicles will be forfeited in favor of the government,” he said.