Insurance agent nabbed over Kalibo driver’s license fixing

By Gerome Dalipe

KALIBO, Aklan — A female insurance agent was arrested for allegedly acting as a fixer and arranging a driver’s license transaction outside the required procedures of the Land Transportation Office.

The arrest followed an entrapment operation conducted by the Kalibo Municipal Police Station in coordination with the LTO Kalibo District Office.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a senior citizen from Numancia, Aklan, who sought the assistance of Marlon Velez, chief of the LTO Kalibo District Office, after the release of his driver’s license was delayed.

Velez ordered the transaction checked through the Land Transportation Management System.

LTO personnel found that the license transaction had supposedly been processed in another region.

The finding raised questions because the complainant said he had never traveled to another region to apply for or process his license.

Police investigation showed that the complainant had allegedly paid PHP 12,000 for the transaction.

He was reportedly promised a driver’s license without completing the usual requirements, including a medical certificate, Theoretical Driving Course or Practical Driving Course certificates, and the required examination.

The alleged fixer later sent the complainant a photo showing his driver’s license number.

When LTO personnel verified the number, however, they found that it had not been issued by any LTO district office in Western Visayas.

When the woman later scheduled the release of the license, the complainant sought assistance from police and the LTO Kalibo District Office.

Authorities then conducted an entrapment operation inside the LTO Kalibo compound, resulting in the woman’s arrest.

Velez said the purported transaction showed several irregularities, including the absence of biometric records and other required documents, indicating that the license had not gone through the legitimate LTO process.

The suspect is being held at the Kalibo Municipal Police Station and is facing charges for alleged violations of Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 21(h) of Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Article 172 covers falsification by private individuals and the use of falsified documents, while Section 21(h) of Republic Act No. 11032 prohibits fixing or collusion with fixers for economic or other gain.

LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II commended the police and LTO Kalibo District Office personnel for their swift action.

He urged the public to follow legitimate LTO procedures and report individuals offering to secure driver’s licenses through unofficial or fraudulent means.

“This is a continuing concern for authorities—individuals who offer shortcuts to people seeking driver’s licenses, allowing them to bypass procedures designed to ensure that only qualified and properly trained motorists get behind the wheel,” Geduspan said.

The Kalibo entrapment operation adds to LTO-6’s continuing anti-fixing campaign.

Over the past four years, the agency has recorded 18 criminal convictions for falsification of public documents and violations of Republic Act No. 11032.

More than 90 other cases have also been filed or remain pending before various courts and prosecutors’ offices across Western Visayas.