‘PNP 111’ plates illegal

THE continued use of all commemorative plates including the ubiquitous ‘PNP 111’ that are seen on vehicles in Davao City is now illegal as these plates were only allowed to be used until January 31, 2013.

Eleanor S. Calderon, Operation Division chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Davao Region, told Sun.Star Davao on Thursday that as of Thursday, all commemorative plates have expired and should no longer be used.

For 2012, the only valid commemorative plates they issued were intended for the 72nd anniversary of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the ‘PNP 111’ plate of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The permit for the QCPD plate expired last December 30, 2012.

Calderon said LTO only allowed the use of 500 ‘PNP 111’ plates all over the country only that it should not be covering the original registration plates of the vehicle.

Contrary to this condition, however, all vehicles with ‘PNP 111’ plates seen in Davao City had only those plates, and nothing else.

"We are actually puzzled why it is proliferating when these should have already expired," Calderon said.

As of this posting, LTO has apprehended five or six motorists who were caught using expired commemorative plates.

She added that they did not receive any reports from anyone informing them of sighting of vehicles using invalid commemorative plates.

A motorist who will be caught using commemorative plates will be fined P2,000 and additional P500 for those plate covering the exact plate.