2 cabs with same plate numbers probed

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Davao Region is now investigating the case of two taxi units with identical plate number.

Traffic Management Center (TMC) Retired Colonel Desiderio Cloribel said traffic personnel along with Task Force Davao (TFD) and Sasa Police Station spotted the two taxi units at the entrance of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Cloribel, in an interview, said the two taxi units owned by one Enero Ruperto Jr. are now at the LTO office for substantiation on its machinery serial number and chassis number.

He said they will also check if the operator of the Goldview taxi units is aware of the use of identical plates.

Cloribel said Ruperto might face charges of violation of the Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as "An Act To Compile The Laws Relative To Land Transportation And Traffic Rules, To Create A Land Transportation Commission And For Other Purposes."

"As far as I know, he may not only face administrative charges but also criminal charges. It would depend on the result of the investigation," Cloribel said, adding this is not their first time to have confiscated vehicles with the same plate number or even counterfeit plate number.

Cloribel also appealed to the public to be always vigilant and contact the Central 911 if they encounter a similar case so as to avoid proliferation of counterfeit plate numbers. (ICT)