THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will now inspect delivery trucks going in and out of the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal to prevent the illegal transport of non-essential persons.
Brigadier General Alexander Tagum, HPG director, warned delivery trucks and colorum vehicles against “smuggling” people out the NCR plus, where mobility is restricted as part of enhanced community quarantine measures.
On April 6, a cargo truck was found carrying non-authorized persons outside residence (non-Apor) bound for the Visayas and Mindanao.
The truck made a stop in Del Gallego in Camarines Sur and its passengers transferred to colorum vehicles that were supposed to take them to a roll-on-roll-off terminal in Matnog, Sorsogon.
The HPG apprehended 13 colorum vehicles, Tagum said.
“Nakahuli po ‘yung tropa ko ng 13 colorum vehicles, 11 dito ay passenger van, isa ay AUV, isa ay kotse na illegally transporting people towards Bicol region galing Metro Manila,” he said.
The 13 vehicles were impounded with a fine of not less than P200,000 while the passengers were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for assistance.
The drivers of the colorum vehicles will be charged with violation of Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. This carries a penalty of 20,000 to 50,000 fine and/or one to six months imprisonment.
They will also be charged for violating the Commonwealth Act 146, or the Public Service Act on Public Convenience, which may result in the cancellation of their license.
Delivery trucks used to be exempted from strict inspection at checkpoints to avert any delay in the transport of essential goods. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)