The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered a 90-day suspension of the driver’s license of a motorcycle rider whose viral video showed him using packaging tape to cover parts of his plate number—allegedly to avoid being identified by CCTV cameras under the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II confirmed that the motorcycle, registered to a resident of San Juan City, was flagged after the video made rounds on Facebook.
“This is a clear act of disrespect to the law. As our DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said, the government will no longer tolerate this kind of behavior,” Mendoza emphasized.
A show cause order (SCO) was sent to the registered owner, who is now required to appear at the LTO Central Office and explain why he should not be held liable for the plate concealment.
The LTO said the plate was deliberately altered to obscure three letters, making it difficult for enforcement cameras to identify the vehicle.
The violation falls under Section 18, Paragraph 2 of Republic Act 4136, which prohibits tampering or obstructing vehicle number plates.
The owner was also directed to present the motorcycle’s Official Receipt (OR), Certificate of Registration (CR), and proof of his role as a rider for Move It, a motorcycle ride-hailing company.
In the meantime, the motorcycle in question has been placed under alarm status pending the results of the investigation.
Mendoza reminded the public that covering license plates is illegal and encouraged citizens to report similar violations. “We are urging netizens to help us by reporting these irregularities,” he said.
