THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) will deploy secret marshals to strictly implement the anti-siren campaign initiated by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
LTO chief Alberto Suansing said the marshals will be in plainclothes on board unmarked patrol cars when they will be deployed along major thoroughfares.
"Itong ating mga secret marshals ay magmamanman para mahuli natin itong mga pasaway na motorista," Suansing said.
He added that the team will complement the use of Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) of the LTO, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He said motorists and commuters can text their reports on anti wang-wang violators to 2600. But he reminded to include the plate number of the offender.
Since the start of the drive, authorities confiscated close to 300 sirens, blinkers and fog lights nationwide.
Under Presidential Decree 96 only motor vehicles designated for the use of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and hospital ambulances can be fitted with sirens, bells, horns or similar gadgets.
As for government officials, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice are afforded the same privilege.
Suansing said the secret marshals are also instructed to go after drivers of passenger jeepneys who are using their own version of wang-wang known as "patok."
The "patok" is a loud horn that has earned the ire of motorists and commuters. (AH/Sunnex)