LTO, di pinalampas rider na nagtakip ng plaka para iwas-NCAP; driver’s license, suspendido

- A motorcycle rider’s license was ordered suspended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after he obscured his plate allegedly to evade the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP)

- In an order handed down recently, the LTO has preventively suspended the driver’s license of a motorcycle rider for 90 days after a viral video showed him intentionally covering his license plate supposedly to avoid NCAP

- LTO Chief Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II strongly condemned the act, emphasizing that such attempts to circumvent traffic laws are a clear disrespect for regulations and will not be tolerated by the government

- A Show Cause Order has been issued to the registered owner of the motorcycle, requiring them to explain their actions, surrender their license, and cooperate with an investigation to confirm their involvement

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has taken decisive action against a motorcycle rider whose attempt to allegedly circumvent the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) by obscuring his license plate went viral on social media.

The rider’s driver’s license has been preventively suspended for 90 days, underscoring the government’s firm stance against such traffic violations.

The incident gained widespread attention through a viral video circulating on Facebook, which showed a motorcycle with its license plate partially covered with packaging tape.

The tape specifically obscured the last three characters of the plate, evidently in an attempt to evade identification by the high-definition cameras utilized in the NCAP system.

The video was reportedly captioned with a defiant “NCAP? No problem, magaya nga,” seemingly encouraging others to imitate the illegal act.

The motorcycle involved is registered to a resident of San Juan City and was seen carrying a back rider wearing a helmet from a known ride-hailing company.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, minced no words in condemning the act. “Maliwanag na isa itong pambabastos sa batas. Gaya ng sinabi ng ating DOTr [Department of Transportation] Secretary Vince Dizon, hindi na papayag ang pamahalaan sa mga motoristang katulad nito,” Mendoza stated, emphasizing that such behavior is a clear disrespect for the law and will not be tolerated.

In response, the LTO’s social media monitoring team quickly detected the violation, leading to the issuance of a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the registered owner of the motorcycle.

The SCO mandates the owner to appear before the LTO Central Office to submit a written explanation as to why they should not be penalized for the violation.

Furthermore, the order directs the immediate surrender of the driver’s license on or before the scheduled hearing date, which will mark the start of the 90-day suspension.

The LTO’s investigation aims to confirm whether the registered owner was indeed the individual responsible for covering the license plate.

The motorcycle itself has also been placed under an “alarm” status, preventing any transactions involving the vehicle during the ongoing investigation.

The registered owner faces charges for violating Section 18, Paragraph 2 of Republic Act No. 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which pertains to the proper use of number plates. Additionally, they may be deemed an “improper person to operate a motor vehicle.”

This incident comes as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently began a dry run of the NCAP, which relies on surveillance cameras and Artificial Intelligence to apprehend traffic violators.

MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head Atty. Victor Nuñez warned motorists that intentionally concealing license plates carries a hefty fine of PHP5,000.

The online community has reacted strongly to the LTO’s decision and the viral video. Many netizens applauded the LTO’s quick action, expressing frustration with drivers who attempt to evade regulations.

Comments on social media platforms echoed a sentiment of fairness and accountability, with users asserting that strict implementation is necessary for road discipline.

Some called for even harsher penalties, while others reiterated the importance of respecting traffic laws for everyone’s safety.

This case serves as a stern warning that attempts to defy traffic regulations, particularly those involving public identification markers like license plates, will be met with serious consequences by traffic authorities.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, an Indian national selling low-priced synthetic diamonds was allegedly kidnapped, beaten, and robbed by business rivals in San Juan. Police said the victim’s pricing angered other vendors: “Ito po ay nakakapekto nang lubha doon sa mga negosyo ng suspek.” The suspects allegedly hired men to abduct the victim, steal ₱1 million worth of goods, and threaten him not to return to the Philippines. Authorities identified the culprits through vehicle records and CCTV footage; the investigation is ongoing.

Still in other news, off-duty cops who were having their meal at nearby diner intervened in a timely manner in a road rampage in Cavite. In a CCTV footage shared by GMA News, two police officers who were having dinner, swiftly responded to a pickup truck that rammed tricycles in Naic, Cavite, preventing further damage and injuries. The officers’ decisive action included shooting the pickup truck’s tires, effectively stopping the vehicle from escaping and leading to the arrest of its senior citizen driver, who was allegedly intoxicated. The viral footage of the officers’ “movie-like” response earned widespread commendation online.

Source: KAMI.com.gh