In a decisive move, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has mandated a comprehensive refresher course for all enforcers across the country. This decision comes in the wake of a recent incident in Panglao, Bohol, where five LTO officers were involved in a controversial action that went viral online.
LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II emphasized the need for a robust and systematic strategy to prevent future occurrences. He stated on Sunday, “The unfortunate event in Bohol underscores the necessity for strict retraining. All LTO enforcers will participate, and it is compulsory.”
He further revealed that he has instructed the LTO Law Enforcement Service team to develop an enhanced protocol for traffic rule enforcement. The upcoming retraining initiatives will prioritize adherence to human rights and correct application of road safety measures.
The program follows a widely viewed video that allegedly showcased LTO enforcers manhandling a motorcyclist, who purportedly carried a knife during the incident in Panglao.
Additionally, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon enacted the immediate preventive suspension of the LTO personnel implicated in the event. A temporary freeze on the deployment of enforcement staff in Bohol has been instated pending investigation results.
As part of the remedial actions, the LTO aims to collaborate with the Philippine National Police to devise new guidelines for personnel, ensuring efficacy and accountability in their operations.