The Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-HPG) has deployed 120 personnel across Metro Manila to crack down on motorists who conceal their license plates to evade the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the 120 policemen are part of those who were deployed to further intensify police visibility following the order of PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to ensure quick response of the police.
He said 1,500 other HPG personnel will be deployed across the country.
HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said they are now coordinating with other government agencies and mapping out plans on how to effectively assist in NCAP implementation.
“The HPG is studying notes and guidelines on how to assist again in the implementation of NCAP,” said Malang.
And part of that assistance, according to Malang, is the apprehension of motorists who would cover their license plates.
The NCAP was reimplemented on May 26 along EDSA, C5 Road and other major thoroughfares under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) after the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued in August 2022.
More than 5,000 violators were apprehended in the first one week of its implementation, and as motorists, particularly riders, began to feel the brunt of NCAP, it came up with some illegal ways to avoid it, particularly covering the license plate.
On Monday, the MMDA sought legal offensive assistance from the Land Transportation Office in running after around 50 motorists which they caught in the CCTV with covered plates.
The LTO, on the other hand, warned that aside from a P5,000 fine, violators could face up to two years imprisonment under the Republic Act 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. (Aaron Recuenco)
