DOTR Caraga anti-colorum drive intensifies amid threats

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

Butuan City — Amid threats, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTR) in Caraga assured that they will intensify their anti “colorum” or unregistered public utility vehicles drive as the department’s revenue peaked more than P7 million in revenue.

Maria Kristina E. Cassion, officer-in-charge chief of the operations division of  DOTR Caraga, who personally spearheaded the regions anti-colorum campaign, reported to authorities that she received threats in relation to  DOTR ‘s drive but said that they will continue to push and intensify their campaign

“About 3:30 in the afternoon of October 6, 2018, I received a call from an unknown number through my government-issued phone number. The male caller warned and made a threat in Tagalog,” said Cassion.

Cassion was able to record the call: “Mag-ingat Ingat lamang po kayo dahil nalalapit na ang iyong katapusan. Matagal na kaming nananawagan sa inyo pero binabalewala nyo lang.”

Cassion cited they were able to apprehend several colorum buses from Pasay City to Davao City. The operators were trying to make under the table negotiations for the release of their units, which she refused. Not one of the buses was released because of her refusal.

Cassion pointed out that she reported the incident to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Caraga Police Regional Office-13 has reached out and extended their assurance to investigate the incident.

Cassion narrated that she also received a threat earlier this year from van operators with intelligence report suggesting an alleged kill contract of P50,000.

“Instead of stopping, I tried to engage the van operators into a dialogue through our Caraga Transport Summit last May, and even during their seminars for coop accreditation. I explained to them that we are just following the directive of the president, but it doesn’t mean that we stop at apprehensions. I have been helping them by submitting a proposal for the opening of several UV Express routes, which were approved. We helped them consolidate into cooperatives to be able to qualify them to apply for the newly opened routes,” she said.