Calabarzon LTO chief accused of extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A group of bus drivers and operators has accused the chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) of extortion.

The group filed the complaint against LTO-Calabarzon director Cupido Gerry Asuncion before the Office of the President on March 7.

In the complaint addressed to President Marcos, drivers and operators serving routes in Cavite including Naic-PITX, Tagaytay-PITX, Indang-PITX, Alfonso-PITX and Mendez-PITX, said that Asuncion demanded P50,000 from each bus operator who wanted to talk to him.

The complainants alleged that Asuncion also asked for a monthly fee of P25,000 in exchange for the non-apprehension of their buses by LTO traffic enforcers.

The STAR could not reach Asuncion for comment.

The complaint was signed by Federico Callejas of Celyrosa Transport, Henry Cayao of Lorna Express, Francis Caballero of Floralde Liner, and Teddy Lising, chairman of the Cavite-Batangas Transport Service Cooperative.

The complainants alleged that LTO enforcers fabricated violations against their buses if they refused to comply with Asuncion’s demands.

In the complaint, the group lamented the difficulties being experienced by bus operators and drivers due to the alleged extortion activities of Asuncion.

The complainants appealed to Marcos to immediately act on the matter.