3 days ago
10
CEBU CITY — Rows of stripped-down mini trucks and vans still bearing Japanese script and yellow tags, lined the lot of a Talisay City auto shop following a surprise raid.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO), which led the operation on Monday, said 65 right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles, including minivans, multicabs, trucks, and heavy equipment were apprehended.
These items were said to be smuggled from Japan and illegally converted to left-hand drive in violation of Republic Act (RA) 8506.
The law bans the importation, registration, and use of right-hand-drive vehicles in the Philippines.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, who inspected the scene, confirmed a Peruvian believed to be operating the facility was taken into custody.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Mendoza noted the seized vehicles fetched P200,000 to P250,000 each, and two of the units were already registered in Mindanao, triggering an internal probe into how they passed registration inspection.
Mendoza also said the Talisay facility may form part of a wider smuggling syndicate linked to previous raids in Quezon City and Davao City, where over 40 right-hand-drive units were seized under similar circumstances.
The raid unfolded through coordination between the LTO and the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, and Philippine National Police, with support for securing the compound and cataloging the seized units.
All 65 vehicles were transferred to the LTO impounding yard, where forensic teams are examining chassis and engine numbers to trace their origins and uncover any links to other smuggling operations.
“Ang ating mensahe ay itigil na po ninyo ito (Our message is please stop this),” Mendoza said during an interview.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ito, hindi po ito ningas-kugon. Ido-double time pa natin ang effort natin. There’s no stopping this (This will continue; it’s not just a flash in the pan. We will even double our efforts),” he added.
Mendoza emphasized that the LTO will pursue charges related to smuggling, customs fraud, illegal conversion, and violations of RA 8506.
He also urged local government units to shut down similar operations, cautioning that allowing such activity erodes both public safety and government revenue.
KAISER JAN FUENTES
