A deputized law enforcement agent of the Land Transportation Office in Dumaguete City was arrested Tuesday afternoon during an entrapment operation by the local office of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The arrest of Warren Salut, 41, married, of Mambaling, Cebu and currently staying in Dumaguete City, came after lawyer Elton Abrea, 34, of Mangnao, Dumaguete City, sought the help of the NBI, claiming that the former was “extorting” money from him.
According to Atty. Dominador Cimafranca, local NBI chief, Abrea on Tuesday morning appeared at their office to complain of an alleged irregularity wherein Salut allegedly offered to “fix a violation payment without an official LTO receipt”.
Cimafranca said Salut had allegedly asked from Abrea P1,500 in exchange for the release of the lawyer’s license which was earlier confiscated for a traffic violation. Salut, who presented an LTO ID card, is not an organic employee of the agency but a deputized traffic law enforcer.
Abrea told the NBI and reporters that early Monday evening, he was apprehended by Salut for driving a motorcycle without a helmet. Salut then confiscated his driver’s license, issued him a temporary operator’s permit (TOP) and told Abrea to look for him at the LTO-Dumaguete Office the following day.
The lawyer admitted to reporters that he asked Salut to reduce the fine of about P1,700 to P1,600. Abrea further claimed that Salut allegedly asked him to pay P1,500 instead but without an official receipt. This prompted Abrea to seek the help of the NBI for the entrapment operation.
Under the law, the fine for first offense for not wearing a helmet is at P1,500 but an additional P277.00 is being charged by the LTO for processing fees, bringing the total fine to P1,777.00 to be paid prior to the release of a confiscated driver’s license.
Engr. Eugene Gador, LTO-Dumaguete District Office chief, in a telephone interview confirmed that Salut is not a regular agency employee but he utilizes him to help in traffic law enforcement.
Gador said he still has to investigate the incident but promised to take the necessary action. He also assured that he will not tolerate any malpractice in his office.
NBI agent Nick Tagle said a complaint was filed late Tuesday before the City Prosecutor’s Office against SAlut for extortion and for violation of Republic Act 9485 of the Anti-Red Tape Act.
If found to be a government employee, another charge for violation of RA 3019 for corrupt practices shall also be filed against Salut, Tagle added. (PNA)
