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
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