By Brian Campued
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a 90-day preventive suspension against the driver’s license of the motorcycle rider who was seen on a viral social media post with his vehicle’s license plate partially covered with a packaging tape to avoid the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) identifying him.
“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,” LTO chief ASec. Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement Friday.
“We already issued a show cause order (SCO) against the registered owner of this motorcycle wherein we also informed him that his driver’s license is suspended for 90 days.”
Mendoza said the violation was monitored by their agency’s social media team, pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to crack down on “kamote” riders.
Part of the investigation is to determine if the registered owner was indeed the one who covered the license plate.
According to the SCO, the driver was also summoned to a hearing at the LTO Central Office and asked to submit a written explanation on why he should not be penalized.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Discipline Office head Atty. Victor Nuñez warned motorists that covering license plates would be penalized with a P5,000 fine.
“Baka po hindi alam ng ating mga kababayan na ang multa po niyan ay mahal. Marami kaming na-monitor sa CCTV na nilagyan ng electrical tape, nilagyan ng masking tape. We admire the Filipino ingenuity pero I am warning them na ang penalty for this is 5,000 baka po magulat sila,” Nuñez said.
The MMDA reinstated the NCAP along major thoroughfares across Metro Manila on May 26 after a temporary restraining order against the policy was lifted by the Supreme Court.
-jpv
