LTO warns of jail time for covering plates; Over 5,400 NCAP violators recorded since May 26
More than 5,400 violators were apprehended in the week-long implementation of No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) in Metro Manila since May 26, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) disclosed on Monday, June 2.
This developed as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) warned motorists of up to two years imprisonment if they are caught tampering and covering the license plates of their motor vehicles after the MMDA sought legal offensive assistance against 50 motorists who were caught in the camera covering their license plates.
Based on the data from the MMDA, the largest NCAP violation tagging on vehicles was on the first day of implementation with 1,112 violators while the number went down to 489 on Saturday, May 31, and 565 on Sunday, June 1.
A total of 5,436 violators were recorded from May 26 to June 1, according to the MMDA.
On Monday, MMDA Special Operations Group head Gabriel Go went to the LTO to submit pieces of evidence against 50 motorists for covering their license plates
LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II warned that administrative and criminal liabilities await the violators based on the existing laws that include Republic Act 11235 (Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act).
“We have already intensified the campaign against these errant motorists and this includes social media monitoring,” said Mendoza.
Last week, the LTO issued a show cause order against the registered owner of the motorcycle with license plates covered by a packaging tape. The photo of it was monitored by the social media monitoring team of the LTO.
LTO Executive Director Greg Pua said that aside from the P5,000 fine, erasing, tampering or forging or imitating, covering or concealing a readable number plate na six months and one day to two years based on RA 11235.
Aside from urging motorists to just follow the traffic regulations, Pua also asked netizens to immediately report cases of covering license plates to the LTO.