Inline with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to intensify enforcement against threats to road safety, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II and the guidance of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, confiscated over 65 illegally imported right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles during a raid in Talisay City, Cebu on Monday, June 9.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and supervised by Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Ambassador Markus V. Lacanilao and Asec. Mendoza. Intelligence reports confirmed the illegal activities of the targeted autoshop, which reportedly involved the unauthorized importation, assembly, and sale of RHD vehicles. LTO Region 7 Director Glen Galario also assisted in the operation.
Asec. Mendoza noted that Ambassador Lacanilao’s involvement stemmed from findings indicating the participation of foreign nationals in the illicit trade. A female Peruvian national—allegedly the operator of the Talisay City shop—was taken into custody during the raid.
This crackdown follows similar operations conducted by the LTO, including the discovery of an illegal RHD vehicle store in Quezon City last month and subsequent raids on three autoshops in Davao, which resulted in the seizure of over 40 additional RHD vehicles.
“These stores appear to be interconnected,” said Asec. Mendoza. “That’s why Ambassador Lacanilao is working closely with us—because there is evidence that this operation involves at least one foreign national.”
Initial findings suggest the vehicles were illegally imported, assembled locally, and then sold. Mendoza also confirmed an ongoing investigation into an LTO office in Mindanao accused of facilitating the registration of these unlawfully assembled vehicles.
“All those involved will be held accountable, in line with the directives of our DOTr Secretary,” said Mendoza. “We are conducting an in-depth investigation to uncover the full extent of this operation.”
Under Republic Act 8506, or An Act Banning the Registration and Operation of Vehicles With Right-Hand Steering Wheel in any Private or Public Street, Road, or Highway, the importation, registration, and use of RHD vehicles in the Philippines is strictly prohibited. The law clearly states:
“It shall be unlawful for any person to import, cause the importation of, register, cause the registration of, use, or operate any vehicle with its steering wheel on the right-hand side thereof in any highway, street or road, whether private or public or of the national or local government.”
The LTO vowed to continue pursuing operations to eliminate these illegal practices and ensure road safety across the country.