CAMP OLIVAS - A total of 55 sirens and blinkers were confiscated by the Highway Patrol Unit 3 (HPU3) since the implementation of its campaign against “wang-wangs” and blinkers.
Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, regional officer of HPU3 here, said since July 1 to 4 this year, at least 31 sirens or “wang-wangs” and 24 pieces of blinkers were seized by his different field officers in Central Luzon.
Tinio said that their operation was conducted after President Benigno Aquino III announced during his inaugural speech to strictly implement the ban of sirens and blinkers including fog lights.
He said there were also 15 fog lights confiscated since the start of their campaign.
The Highway Field Offices confiscated sirens in the following areas: Bataan, seven; Bulacan, seven; Nueva Ecija, six; Pampanga, three; Tarlac, six; and Zambales, 12. Blinkers confiscated numbered five in Bataan; three in Bulacan; nine in Nueva Ecija; three in Pampanga; two in Tarlac; and three in Zambales for a total of 31 sirens and 24 blinkers.
Fog lights confiscated numbered two in Bataan; Bulacan, three; Nueva Ecija, three; Pampanga, two; Tarlac, three; and Zambales, two, for a total of 15 units.
Tinio said there was a 78 percent increase in the apprehension and confiscation of the illegal gadgets for the past months of January to June this year in only four days of operation.
Under the law, the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and Supreme Court chief justice are the only officials allowed to use such gadgets in their official functions.
Also, marked vehicles of law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, among others are entitled to use these gadgets in carrying out their mandated tasks. (Ric Sapnu)