The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are preparing to file charges against motorists who were caught on CCTV deliberately covering or tampering with their license plates to evade penalties under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
MMDA Special Operations Group Strike-Force Head Gabriel Go, on Monday, June 2, personally turned over to the LTO a set of documents containing images and reports of motorists who used the so-called “Takip Plaka” method — intentionally obscuring their license plates to avoid being flagged by NCAP.
Go noted that over 50 drivers could potentially face criminal charges for the offense.
"Within a week of the NCAP's implementation, 90% of those apprehended had their license plates veiled, and generally were motorcycles,” Go added.
He said that aside from CCTV footage, the submitted evidence also includes reports from the public sent through social media involving cases of license plate concealment.
Go further shared that MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes has since ordered MMDA field personnel to intensify enforcement efforts by physically apprehending vehicles with concealed plates and issuing citation tickets on the spot.
“The MMDA continuously monitors traffic situations using CCTV cameras at our MMDA Communication and Command Center,” Go emphasized.
Meanwhile, LTO Executive Director Atty. Greg Pua Jr. echoed the agency’s commitment to enforce the law, assuring that show cause orders will be sent immediately to identified violators and penalize them.
“No one escapes the law," Pua stressed.
He warned that such offenses are punishable under existing laws, particularly Republic Act No. 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which clearly states under Article II, Section 12 that willfully concealing a readable license plate may result in imprisonment of six months and one day to two years, or a fine of up to ₱10,000.
“Covering a license plate is already a traffic code violation. We will use all our resources to identify violators. This is also to ensure road and public safety,” Pua added.
In addition to enforcement, the LTO is also coordinating with the Anti-Cybercrime Group and other law enforcement agencies to track down individuals selling or promoting tools and accessories online that enable motorists to hide their license plates.
On the part of the LTO, the agency said the pursuit of those caught covering their license plates to evade NCAP enforcement will now be expedited.
