DAVAO CITY — Four individuals were arrested in a high-profile entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation–Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO) XI on Monday morning, April 20, targeting an alleged fixing syndicate operating near the Land Transportation Office (LTO) XI regional headquarters in Ecoland.
The operation, carried out at around 11:00 a.m. along Quimpo Boulevard, resulted in the arrest of two men believed to be fixers and two women identified as their alleged contacts inside a private insurance-related establishment. Authorities said the suspects were implicated in illegal transactions involving the expedited processing of student permits at the LTO in exchange for higher fees.
According to the NBI, the suspects were caught in the act of receiving marked money from undercover agents, confirming their direct participation in the illegal scheme. The coordinated arrests took place simultaneously at two nearby establishments—EZ Auto Driving Academy and Blessed Pedro Calungsod Medical Laboratory—both reportedly used as fronts for the operation.
The sting operation was launched following a formal request from LTO XI Regional Director Atty. Raphael Robillo, who sought the NBI’s assistance in dismantling fixer activities and restoring integrity within the agency. The crackdown forms part of a broader campaign to eliminate red tape and corruption in government service delivery.
NBI-SEMRO XI Assistant Regional Director Gerald Intes said the arrests serve as a strong warning not only to fixers but also to government personnel who may be involved in similar незакон activities.
He disclosed that the NBI has been granted full authority by the LTO leadership to investigate all personnel, regardless of rank, who may be linked to fixing syndicates. The probe is expected to expand in the coming days as authorities trace possible internal connections within the LTO.
One of the arrested suspects denied involvement in illegal activities, claiming that receiving payments was part of legitimate service fees. The remaining suspects declined to issue statements.
All four individuals are set to face charges for violating Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which penalizes fixing and other forms of bureaucratic corruption.
Meanwhile, NBI-SEMRO XI Regional Director Atty. Renato DM Garbo III emphasized that the operation should serve as a stern warning to individuals attempting to exploit government processes for personal gain.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to pursue further investigation against those involved, signaling intensified efforts to root out corruption within public offices and ensure faster, transparent delivery of government services.