LTO Suspends License for Altering Vehicle Plate Number
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has taken swift action by suspending the license of a designated driver caught altering a Honda Click motorcycle’s plate number. This act was reportedly done to evade detection by traffic enforcement systems, particularly the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
Effective immediately, the LTO imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license once it is surrendered. Alongside this, the motorcycle’s plate number and the driver’s license have been placed under alarm, blocking any transactions during the ongoing investigation, sources said.
Authorities Crack Down on Plate Number Alterations
“Such activities are a clear violation of our law. We will not let drivers who deliberately hide their identities on the road get away with it. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to holding violators accountable,” said LTO acting chief Atty. Greg Pua Jr., mostly in Filipino.
He added, “We will not stop until those who commit this type of deception are held accountable. These deceptive tactics—especially those meant to circumvent the NCAP—put lives at risk and erode public trust in our traffic enforcement systems.”
Viral Photo Shows Attempted Plate Tampering
Social media circulated a photo showing an unidentified individual, believed to be the driver, covering the third digit of the motorcycle’s license plate with electrical tape. This deliberate act aims to evade NCAP apprehensions, violating Section 18, Paragraph 2 of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code regarding the use of number plates.
Renante Melitante, LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division Chief, said, “This kind of behavior indicates intent to deceive enforcement authorities, which speaks volumes about a person’s fitness to operate a motor vehicle.”
Show Cause Order Issued to Motorcycle Owner
Meanwhile, the LTO has also issued a show cause order to the registered owner of the motorcycle. Both the owner and the designated driver at the time have been summoned to appear before the agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Division to explain why they should not be held administratively liable.
The agency requires the driver to justify why his license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, as stated in Section 27(a) of R.A. 4136. Failure to comply will be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, and the case will proceed based on available evidence.
“Harsher penalties may be imposed should the individuals involved fail to submit a proper explanation,” the LTO warned.
For more news and updates on vehicle plate number alterations, visit Filipinokami.com.