MANILA – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday warned that illegal vehicle plate manufacturers will face imprisonment if they do not stop their activities following the arrest of four in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
In a statement, Dizon said the recent arrest is only the first of many operations against illegal plate manufacturers.
“Para sa mga gumagawa ng ganitong kalokohan, itigil niyo na ito kasi hindi namin kayo titigilan (For those doing these illegal activities, just stop now because we’re not going to stop chasing after you),” he said.
The crackdown is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to catch these illegal plate makers, as many fake plates are used in many different crimes.
These fake plates are often sold on social media and cost around PHP1,200.
He added that these fake plates have significant differences with the original plates issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), such as having no security features like QR Code verification.
In a statement, LTO Acting Assistant Secretary Greg Pua said the four individuals were arrested in a joint operation of the LTO and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Saturday.
The investigation was conducted after confirmation of the illegal activities of the suspects.
Seized during the operation were the marked money, 51 pieces of fake plates, printing machines, computer units, a machine press, four cutting machines, a vinyl reflectorized film, one hole machine, 14 pieces of acrylic letter trays, three acrylic borders, and a cold laminate machine.
The confiscated items have an estimated value of PHP400,000.
The suspects are now under the custody of the CIDG and facing cases of violations of Presidential Decree 1730 and Art 2 Sec 31 of RA 4136. (PNA)