Digos City, Davao del Sur — A joint operation by the Land Transportation Office Region XI (LTO XI) and the National Bureau of Investigation Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO XI) led to the arrest of a dealer selling illegally assembled minivans in Dawis, Digos City.
The raid, conducted as part of LTO XI’s intensified campaign to enforce land transportation laws and ensure road safety, targeted a surplus vehicle dealer that repeatedly failed to comply with accreditation requirements despite three prior inspection visits.
According to LTO XI, the business had been operating without proper accreditation under the Manufacturer, Assembler, Importer, Rebuilder, Dealer, and Other Entities (MAIRDOEs) program — a clear violation of land transportation regulations. The inspection team found that the shop’s non-compliance remained unchanged in all previous visits, prompting the enforcement action.
During the operation, authorities inventoried a total of 35 vehicles, nine of which were right-hand drive units, which are prohibited for use on Philippine roads under existing traffic and safety laws. The inspection also included verification of vehicle documents and serial numbers to determine possible tampering or illegal importation.
The LTO reiterated that such operations are part of its continuing effort to uphold roadworthiness standards and ensure all vehicle dealers, assemblers, and importers adhere to legal processes.
“This joint operation underscores our commitment to protecting the public from unroadworthy and illegally assembled vehicles that pose serious safety risks,” an LTO XI official said.
The arrested dealer is now facing charges for violating LTO regulations and other related laws governing the sale and assembly of motor vehicles.
Authorities warned other unaccredited MAIRDOEs in the region to comply with accreditation requirements or face similar enforcement actions in the coming days.