3 LTO agents nabbed in Batangas for extortion

BATANGAS, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three agents of the Land Transportation Office and their two civilian aides for alleged extortion.

Benjamin Japlit Jr. of NBI-Calabarzon, identified the suspects as Bartolome Atienza, 52; Mermar Mercado, 35; and Joseph Dilay, 42, who were assigned at the LTO-Batangas City office.

Also arrested were Redentor Silva, 45, and Felix Conducto Jr. , 29, of Baklas Plaka, a group of civilian operatives under the supervision of the LTO.

The five men were arrested while receiving marked money in an entrapment operation following a complaint filed by Adeodato Logrono Jr., an NBI agent and owner-proprietor of AML Trucking Services in Rosario, Pasig City.