Massive Seizure of Imported Right-Hand-Drive Vehicles in Cebu City
CEBU CITY – Authorities seized 65 imported right-hand-drive vehicles during a raid in Talisay City, Cebu, on Monday, June 9. This operation was part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal vehicle importation and assembly, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify efforts against practices that threaten road safety.
LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II personally oversaw the raid. He emphasized that the seizure of the right-hand-drive vehicles is a crucial step in enforcing the ban on these cars, which are illegal to import and operate in the Philippines. The keyphrase “imported right-hand-drive vehicles” was mentioned early to highlight the focus of this operation.
Joint Operation Led by LTO and Law Enforcement
The raid was backed by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and supervised by Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Ambassador Markus V. Lacanilao. The operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports about the illegal activities of the targeted auto shop.
The LTO-Central Visayas, under Regional Director Glen Galario, gathered vital information that led to the raid. Mendoza noted that Ambassador Lacanilao’s involvement was crucial due to evidence suggesting the participation of foreign nationals in the illegal importation, assembly, and sale of these vehicles.
During the operation, a female Peruvian national was detained after authorities identified her as the operator of the illegal auto shop. This arrest is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle networks responsible for importing and selling prohibited vehicles.
Expanded Crackdown on Illegal Right-Hand-Drive Vehicle Operations
The LTO has been conducting aggressive campaigns against the importation and sale of right-hand-drive vehicles since discovering a similar illegal auto shop in Quezon City last month. Following that, three more auto shops in Davao were raided, yielding over 40 right-hand-drive vehicles.
“These stores appear to be all connected. That is why Ambassador Lacanilao was here with us as part of the thorough investigation into this illegal activity because there were reports that this is run by at least one foreigner,” Mendoza explained.
Initial investigations reveal that these vehicles were imported with right-hand steering, later assembled locally, and sold unlawfully. Mendoza also ordered a probe into an LTO office in Mindanao suspected of facilitating the registration of illegally assembled right-hand-drive vehicles.
“Lahat ng mga ito ay pananagutin natin base na din sa utos ng ating DOTr Secretary. Sa ngayon, malaliman ang imbestigasyon natin para matukoy ang lahat ng taong nasa likod nito,” Mendoza said, stressing that all involved will be held accountable per the Department of Transportation’s directive.
Legal Basis for the Seizure and Operations
Under Republic Act 8506, the importation, registration, and operation of vehicles with right-hand steering wheels are prohibited on any public or private roads in the country. The law clearly states it is unlawful to import, register, use, or operate such vehicles on Philippine roads.
This comprehensive enforcement effort aims to uphold the law and enhance road safety by preventing illegal vehicle operations that pose risks to Filipino motorists.
For more news and updates on imported right-hand-drive vehicles, visit Filipinokami.com.