LTFRB vows crackdown on illegal delivery services

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Monday it would strengthen its enforcement measures against colorum delivery services (operators without the required government permits).

“We have already consolidated all the legal foundations of our campaign against colorum delivery services in order to ensure that all the cases that we would file are airtight and [provide] a high assurance of conviction,” LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said in a statement.

The agency said the crackdown would target operators providing delivery services for online shopping platforms without the required permits following complaints from legitimate delivery service operators.

The LTFRB said it had consolidated its legal framework, backed by a Department of Justice legal opinion and Supreme Court decisions, to strengthen its cases against violators.

Pua warned operators engaged in illegal delivery services to stop their activities, saying the agency would not hesitate to file criminal charges against those involved.

“So this early, we warn those engaged in illegal delivery services to refrain from doing it now for your own sake because we will not hesitate to file as many criminal cases against all those involved,” he said.

The agency, however, did not identify legitimate delivery services, as well as the operators targeted by the crackdown.

The LTFRB said enforcement personnel had been reoriented to strictly impound illegally operated vehicles in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Impounded vehicles may now be released only through a court order, even if the corresponding fines have been paid, the agency said.

Penalties range from P200,000 per unit to P2 million for violations of foreign ownership laws, in addition to possible prison terms of up to 12 years under the Public Service Act.

Despite the crackdown, the LTFRB said it remained ready to assist operators seeking to legalize their businesses.

“What we can assure you is that the LTFRB is ready to assist anybody to legalize their operation. That is our commitment to those who are engaged in this illegal activity,” Pua said.— MCG, GMA News

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