PNP backs PRRD ‘compromise’ on double plates law

FILE: ORDERLY, PEACEFUL 2019 POLLS. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready and prepared for the 2019 mid-term elections, especially in the declared hotspots or areas of concern, said Public Information Office chief, Senior Supt. Bernard Banac during the media forum, “Election Pulse”, held at the National Press Club building, Intramuros, Manila on Friday (Feb. 15, 2019). The PNP and other security forces are hoping for an orderly and peaceful 2019 polls. Behind him is Chief Insp. Romeo S. Panal, Deputy, Regional Operations Division of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to suspend the implementation of Republic Act 11235, known as the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.

“Ang PNP ay sumusuporta sa pakikinig ng Pangulo sa mga hinaing ng apektadong sektor ng doble plaka law upang lalo pang mapalakas ang provisions at pagpapatupad ng nasabing batas (The PNP supports the President’s decision to listen to the concerns of the affected sector of the ‘Doble Plaka’ law in order to strengthen its provisions and implementation,” PNP spokesperson, Col. Bernard Banac told the Philippine News Agency when sought for a comment.

Banac believes that upon hearing concerns of motorcycle riders, the PNP will be able to better implement the law.

Several groups of riders opposed the law which mandates the attachment of bigger plates in front and the rear part of motorcycles.

Banac, however, said the PNP will continue its crackdown against motorcycle-riding criminals.

He also assured the public that the PNP is ready to fully implement the law anytime upon the release of its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

Meanwhile, National Capital Regional Police Office chief, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, echoed President Duterte’s move to have bigger plate numbers only at the back of motorcycles.

“We will support any decision of our President. Maganda naman ang sinabi ni PRRD na okay ‘yung malaking plate number pero sa likod lang dahil sa safety concern nung sa harap (What the President said about bigger plate numbers only at the back is okay because there will be safety concerns if you’ll do it at the front),” Eleazar told PNA in a text message.

Citing PNP data, Eleazar said crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding criminals in Metro Manila have gone down by 53 percent from 2017 to 2018 last year, with murder specifically down by 85 percent over the same period.

The Metro Manila top cop said through this law, the police can bring down the crime volume that motorcycle-riding criminals generate, “to lower and lower levels over the months and years to come”.

In his speech at the 25th National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP) national convention in Iloilo on Saturday, the President said he will try to convince the LTO to suspend the law.

He explained that placing a plate in front of the motorcycle is dangerous because of its sharp edge.

The new law mandates the LTO to produce bigger number plates readable from the front, back, and side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters.

It also authorizes law enforcers to apprehend motorcycle riders and seize their vehicles if it does not have the proper number plate.

The motorcycle’s owner can only retrieve it after complying with the requirement.