MMDA, LTO warn vs 'takip plaka' scheme to avoid NCAP

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have jointly warned motorists against tampering with their license plates to evade the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

Gabriel Go, the head of the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike-Force, representing MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes personally handed over documents to the LTO. These documents contained photographic evidence, captured through the MMDA’s CCTV cameras, reported to the agency, or monitored on social media, showing motorists intentionally covering, concealing, and tampering with their vehicle license plates in what has been termed the “Takip Plaka” scheme to avoid NCAP.

During a press briefing at the LTO office in Quezon City, Go stated that over 50 drivers could potentially face criminal charges for obscuring their license plates. He noted that within the first week of NCAP’s implementation, 90% of those apprehended had their license plates covered, with motorcycles being the prevalent type of vehicle involved.

Go further conveyed that Chairman Artes had directed field personnel to immediately physically apprehend and issue citation tickets to vehicles with concealed license plates. He also emphasized the MMDA’s continuous monitoring of traffic situations through CCTV cameras at their Communication and Command Center.

LTO Executive Director Greg Pua Jr. assured that the agency would promptly issue Show Cause orders to the identified traffic violators. He cautioned motorists against fraudulently concealing their license plates to avoid NCAP apprehension. 

Pua also emphasized that no one is exempt from the law, stating that the LTO would immediately issue show cause orders to motorists who tampered with their vehicle’s license plates and that they would be penalized accordingly. He added that covering a license plate is already a traffic code violation and that the LTO would utilize all its resources to identify violators to ensure road and public safety.

The LTO is also collaborating with the Anti-Cybercrime Group and other law enforcement agencies to track down individuals promoting these illegal tactics on social media and selling items intended to obscure license plate details.

Both the LTO and the MMDA are urging the public to report such infractions to enable them to take appropriate action.