The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a 90-day preventive suspension of the driver's license of a motorist who was caught covering his motorcycle’s license plate in an attempt to evade penalties under the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
In the viral video, a motorcycle is seen carrying a back rider wearing a helmet from a known TNVS operator in the Philippines.
The video further revealed that a piece of packaging tape had been used to block the visibility of the last three characters of the license plate.
"Maliwanag na isa itong pambabastos sa batas. Gaya ng sinabi ng ating DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, hindi na papayag ang pamahalaan sa mga motoristang katulad nito," said LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.
"We already issued a show cause order against the registered owner of this motorcycle wherein we also informed him that his driver’s license is suspended for 90 days," he added.
Mendoza further revealed that the registered owner of the motorcycle is a resident of San Juan City.
As a result, the registered owner is facing charges for violating Section 18, Paragraph 2 of Republic Act 4136 (Use of Number Plates), as well as for being deemed an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
In the Show Cause Order (SCO) signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division Chief Renante Melitante, the registered owner was directed to appear before the LTO Central Office and submit a written explanation as to why he should not be held liable for the violation.
Moreover, the owner must submit the Official Receipt (OR), Certificate of Registration (CR) for the motorcycle involved, and records verifying his role as an official rider for the TNVS he is purportedly associated with.
"Thus, it is also directed that his driver's license be surrendered immediately on or before the scheduled hearing to reckon the said suspension," the SCO read.
The SCO also placed an alarm status on the motorcycle to block any transactions involving the vehicle during the ongoing investigation.
Ultimately, the LTO chief stressed that this kind of behavior is illegal and punishable under the law. He urged the public and internet users alike to notify the LTO about similar cases for quick intervention.
