Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to file administrative charges against nine members of its Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES) in Caraga following their arrest during an entrapment operation for an extortion case on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Marcus Lacanilao stated that these administrative sanctions are separate from the criminal charges to be filed at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor. Lacanilao emphasized the agency's clear policy against corruption, asserting that anyone proven to have broken the law and public trust will face both administrative and criminal charges.

Lacanilao assured that the agency will cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure the proper, fair, and expeditious filing of criminal charges against the arrested RLES personnel. He reiterated that the LTO will not tolerate any kind of abuse of power and will continue efforts to cleanse its ranks to maintain the agency's integrity.

On Thursday, the LTO Central Office coordinated an anti-extortion entrapment operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Intelligence Division of the PNP Regional Office 13, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 13, PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13, and the Buenavista Municipal Police Station. During the operation, nine RLES enforcers were caught in the act of accepting and collecting money from motorists while on duty.

Authorities recovered marked and unmarked money, handheld radios, cellular phones, traffic apprehension forms, and other evidence following the arrest. The arrested individuals were brought to the Buenavista Municipal Police Station and are facing criminal charges such as direct bribery and violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.