LTO hit for ‘fishing expedition’

ROXAS City – Land Transportation Office (LTO) officers searching on drivers for no valid reason are engaged in “fishing expedition,” said a lawyer.

Atty. James Advincula complained to LTO Chief Jose Degollado that he encountered inconveniences on the road due to “invalid enforcement of traffic regulations.”

For several times, LTO personnel would stop him and ask for his driver’s license and the certificate of registration of his motorcycle.

When he asked what his violation was, the traffic enforcer would tell him none.

Advincula believed that LTO personnel are committing “widespread violation of the constitutional rights of the citizen against unreasonable search.”

“An individual has to have evidently violated a law or ordinance to justify a search,” he stressed.

An LTO personnel asking for a driver’s license and vehicle’s certificate of registration from a driver who has committed no violation is conducting a search without reason and justification, making it invalid, he said.

“Fishing expedition is not allowed under out democratic system,” he said.

He also observed that the implementation of traffic rules by the LTO is biased, most of the time eyeing only motorcycle drivers.

“Why are luxury vans and cars not subjected to treatments as that of motorcycles?” Advincula asked. (Felipe V. Celino)/PN