‘Operation Mercury’ nets 211 erring drivers in Puerto

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

BARANGAY Puerto was ground zero for the Land Transportation Office’s “Operation Mercury” on Thursday night, resulting in the apprehension of 211 traffic violators.

Authorities impounded five motorcycles without registration papers in just three and a half hours from 6:30 pm to 10 pm.

The team was composed of agents of the LTO, Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Cagayan de Oro City Police Office-Traffic Division and the Puerto police station.

Roselito Silva, LTO chief law enforcer for Region 10, said the operation was aimed at apprehending motorists who were driving without license, helmets, proper registration and vehicles using LED lights, and other traffic violations based on Republic Act 4136.

LTO regional director Hilarion Ulep said the renewed traffic campaign was centered on enforcing a Jan. 18 memorandum order issued by the LTO assistant secretary Roberto Cabrera Jr., and was signed and implemented.

Cabrera gave strict instructions to LTO regional directors, and heads of district and satellite offices of LTO to comply with the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), LTO, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the sake of public safety.

“In the interest of road safety and pursuant to DOTC-LTO-LTFRB Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, the undersigned reiterates the drive against unauthorized wang-wang, LED lights and all other modifications,” reads part of Cabrera’s memo.