2 alleged fixers arrested after making fake plate licenses

Miami
September 19, 2008
Story: 2 alleged fixers arrested after making fake plate licenses

Two alleged fixers were arrested by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group National Capital Region (HPG NCR) for illegally selling and distributing fake (Land Transportation Office) LTO license plate just outside the LTO office in East Avenue, Quezon City last September 18.

The suspects were identified as Gerardo Perez, 48, resident of Tandang Sora, Quezon City and Francisco Arapoc, 42, alleged LTO fixer, and resident of Bagong Silang, Quezon City was arrested at around 4:00 pm in an entrapment operation.

Sr. Supt. Dennis Siervo, HPG NCR Chief said that they put the area under surveillance for the past three weeks after receiving reports that there are people that are making fake LTO Plates and even documents.

On September 17, the HPG operatives approached a certain Gerry who happens to be Gerardo Perez and asked how to apply for a license plate that can be used by a taxi. Gerry simply told them that all they have to do is to order from hum and they can provide them plates for their vehicles.

The operatives ordered one for hire, one No. 8 protocol plate and one Diplomatic plate which all cost Php9,000 or Php3,000 each.

Then on September 18, Gerry called them to pick-up their ordered plates.

The operatives of HPG went on their meeting place at in East Avenue, just outside the LTO office. Gerry meet them with Arapoc to give them the ordered plates.

The suspects gave them one for hire plate with number PXH-310, No. 8 protocol plate and Diplomatic plate number 75460. The operatives paid for their remaining balance Php2,000 as marked money. After receiving the payment the two were arrested by the police.

The two claimed that they got the fake plates somewhere in Jose Abad Santos, Tondo, Manila. The Operatives are now searching the area where these two possibly get the fake plates.

Servio has appealed to the public that if they will purchase plates for their vehicles, just go to the authorized one, inside the LTO office.

The two are now facing illegal distribution of fake plate and falsification of public documents.