4 LTO fixers offer services to Marikina mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Four suspected fixers at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) landed in jail yesterday after they offered their services to Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

Teodoro was on his way to an inspection of dredging activities at the Marikina River when the suspects approached his vehicle in front of the LTO’s field office in Barangay Sto. Niño at around 8 a.m.

“May pumara sa akin at sinasabi sa akin na LTO registration,” he said in an interview over dzBB.

Teodoro, who is known to go about his official activities in Marikina alone, immediately called the police to arrest the fixers.

The four – Eduardo Distor, 54; Pablo Sermeches, 58; Reynaldo Distror, 59, and Jomar Atanante, 27 – were arrested by police while their companions escaped.

Teodoro said charges for violation of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act are being prepared against the suspects.

The four are also facing a separate charge for violating health and safety protocols as they were not wearing face masks and shields in public, Marikina police spokesman Capt. Renato Samson said in a phone interview.

Teodoro said the suspects were most likely unaware that he is the top local official in Marikina.

“Kapag ako nandito sa Marikina ordinaryong sasakyan lang kaya ako nahaharang ng fixer (When I am in Marikina, I use an ordinary car so I am approached by fixers),” he said.