Beware of fake I-ACT agents

AN LTO ENFORCER flags down a pickup without a license plate on Edsa in Cubao, Quezon City. File photo. LEO M. SABANGAN II

Beware of “enterprising” personnel exploiting the government’s crackdown on dilapidated and smoke-belching vehicles.

Transport Undersecretary Tim Orbos on Sunday warned the public against fake Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) enforcers who use the “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” campaign to harass private motorists and drivers of public utility vehicles.

According to Orbos, there were several ways to determine if an I-ACT personnel or operation was legitimate.

How to spot fake enforcers

• Since I-ACT is an interagency, there should be a group of personnel coming from several agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Armed Forces, Toll Regulatory Board and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

• Legitimate I-ACT operations are active operations in active areas and not hidden.

• I-ACT personnel carry authorized identification cards and mission orders.

• Motorists should expect “heavier penalties” when apprehended during an I-ACT operation because its enforcers can issue tickets for various traffic violations. –Dexter Cabalza