Drivers, operators press probe of Tarlac lawmen

Colorum vehicles under cops’ ‘protection’ 

By Mar T. Supnad and Nelson Bolos

PANIQUI, Tarlac — Legitimate passenger jeepney operators  said they fear impending breakdown of law and order in the province due to unabated operation of colorum vehicles who are reportedly “under protection” of government officials and law enforcers.

Bernie Fajardo, leader of Tarlac Moncada-Gerona-Paniqui Transport Service Cooperative, the 200-strong passenger jeepney operators, said his group sought assistance from concerned authorities about unabated operations of colorum passenger vans and other transport vehicles, to no avail.

The Tamogepas ought the relief of this town’s LTO District officer Rogel Yambao and Tarlac City LTO District officer Estella Nicolas.

             They wanted Tamayo and De Jesus investigated on the “proliferation of coilorum in Tarlac” but until now, they said, the illegal practice goes on.      

            “We are paying our franchise fees to government but no one is listening to us when we complain about illegal operations of colorum transport vehicles in the province. They operate with impunity under the very noses of the authorities,” said Fajardo.

The jeepney operators and drivers said they were hoping the incoming administration of Rodrigo R. Duterte can swiftly and effectively address their plight and go after erring government officials who benefit from operations of colorum vehicles.

“We have complained numerous times to the LTO, LTFRB, PNP, but they did not act against the colorum operators who are affecting our legitimate source of livelihood.  Each time we complain, we are even subjected to harassment,” said Fajardo, chairman of the Tamogepa.

Last March 18, Tamogepa submitted separate complaints before the LTFRB and LTO regional offices    against the operation of   the more than 160 colorum white vans, but both offices failed to address our woes, said Fajardo.

“Only President Duterte is our hope for positive change in government. We hope the next administration apprehend all colorum vehicle operators and their protectors), said Fajardo, a former OFW-turned-jeepney operator-driver.

            Ilang ulit na kaming nagreklamo sa LTO (Land Transportation Office), sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) at samgapulis, perowalanguma-aksyonsamgacolorumnakumikitilsaaminglehitimonghanapbuhay. At kada kami ay magsumbong kami pa ang ginigipit, hihuli at pinahihirapan.Pero ngayon may nakikita kaming pag-asakay president Duterte”, said Bernie Fajardo. 

On March 18, Tamogepa officers submitted separate complaints to LTFRB region 3 Director Zona Russet Tamayo and to LTO Region Director Marina Tamayo against the “unabashed” operation of  more than 160 colorum white vans but the offices “paid mere lip service to their complaint and conducted “moro-moro apprehension” of the illegal utility vehicles.

Last April 29, Fajardo submitted another letter complaint to PNP Region 3 Director Chief Supt Rudy Lacadin requesting the implementation of Republic Act 4136 for the police to apprehend colorum vehicles but, again, no apprehensions were made.

The Tarlac police provincial legal officer Supt. Joenel Aurelio declared “the PNP alone cannot implement RA 4136” and told Fajardo and the attendees of a multi-sectoral dialogue on colorum operation at the Tarlac Police Provincial Office that “the police cannot apprehend the colorums”.

The 1964 Republic Act 4136 says, "The Philippine Constabulary (now the PNP) and the city and the municipal police forces are hereby given the authority and the primary responsibility and duty to prevent the violation of this Act and carry out the police provisions hereof within their respective jurisdiction" 

“Noong 2010 pa namininire-reklamosa LTO at LTFRB at sa pulis ang mga colorumng unit walang nanghuhuli sa kanila kaya dumami na sila at ngayon mas marami pa sila sa amin na may legal naprangkisa at kadamag reklamo kami, kami ang ginigipit, inaabuso at hinuhuli”, disclosed Fajardo leader of the 112 unit-members of Tamogepa.

Fajardo also revealed that since they submitted their complaint to Lacadin, he and almost all the Gerona-based members of Tamogepa were apprehended by the Gerona police allegedly on orders of the town’s chief of police Supt. Ariel Red.

Apparently, all Tamogepa members apprehended by the Gerona police were for “illegal terminal” for picking passengers at the bus stop along the Mac Arthur highway fronting Gerona police station.  

“Halos araw-arawsimulanoong May 5, may hinuhulisaamin at noong Miyerkules (June 1) pinababa pa ng mga pulis ang mga pasaherong paalis na jeep ng kasamahan naming dahil bawal daw magsakay ng pasaherosa bus stop saharapan ng police station. Bago ‘yun, ipinasara na ni hepe (Red) ang aming paradahan sa bakanteng lote sa likodng bust stop. Hinuhuli kami pero ang mga colorum hinahayaan ng mga pulis na magsakay ng pasahero doon,” said Fajardo.

“Nararamdaman naming na kaming mga lehitimong namamasada na nagbabayad ng buwis taon-taon ay mabibigyan ng proteksyon sa administrasyon ni presidente Duterte. Ina-asahan naming na mawawala ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno na protector ng mga colorum at nagpapahirap sa amin”, added Fajardo.