Two persons were arrested during an entrapment operation at a shop for allegedly producing fake driver’s licenses and other documents at Manuela Building, Bacolod City on Friday afternoon, Aug. 14.
Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region OIC Regional Director Jeck Conlu said the establishment had been under surveillance for some time after authorities repeatedly encountered motorists carrying counterfeit driver’s licenses.
Conlu said around five to six fake licenses had been confiscated in previous enforcement operations conducted by the LTO-NIR and the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department.
The discoveries prompted the LTO, together with the Philippine National Police, to trace the alleged source of the fake licenses, eventually leading investigators to the shop at the Manuela Building.
Authorities then conducted surveillance before launching Friday’s entrapment operation.
Conlu said the alleged price for a counterfeit license starts at around P3,000 and varies depending on whether the client requests a non-professional or professional license, the vehicle codes indicated, and how quickly the document is produced.
He said some fake licenses could allegedly be released within one to two days.
Conlu warned motorists that anyone offering a driver’s license without requiring the normal application process and personal appearance should immediately raise suspicion.
“If you did not go through the proper procedure and personal appearance, you should already be alarmed,” he said.
He added that counterfeit licenses have become increasingly difficult for ordinary motorists to distinguish from legitimate cards because some copies closely resemble genuine licenses.
LTO personnel, however, are trained to check security features and printing details, including differences in markings and color quality.
Conlu said the investigation is also looking into possible links to fixers operating outside or even within the agency.
He stressed that the LTO would not tolerate personnel found involved in illegal transactions, noting that employees had previously faced administrative action over similar irregularities.
The regional director said the operation should serve as a warning both to those manufacturing counterfeit licenses and to motorists patronizing fixers.
“Walang forever,” Conlu said, adding that enforcement operations will continue.
Friday’s operation was not the first involving alleged counterfeit government documents at Plaza Mart.
In 2024, authorities also raided a shop in the commercial center after it was allegedly found producing fake identification cards and government documents.
One person was arrested and later charged by the National Bureau of Investigation in connection with that operation.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the extent of the alleged scheme and identify other persons who may be involved.*
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