The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will launch a nationwide crackdown on vehicles using fake or unauthorized improvised license plates that imitate government-issued plates starting Sept. 1.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said Tuesday that vehicles using improvised plates without LTO authorization will be impounded, while counterfeit plates will be confiscated even if the vehicle owner has authorization to use an improvised plate.
The agency has observed an increase in the online sale of improvised plates that closely copy official LTO plates, including their QR codes, Lacanilao said during a press conference at the LTO headquarters in Quezon City.
“Paulit-ulit ko pong sinasabi: pinagbabawal po ‘yan ng LTO. Wala po kaming binibigyan ng authorization na gumawa ng mga improvised na plaka na ginagaya ang plaka ng LTO o ng iba pang isyu ng gobyerno,” he said.
Lacanilao compared counterfeit plates to forged government documents and said some motorists may use them to avoid detection by traffic enforcement cameras.
Under LTO rules, motorists who lose their plates must first obtain authorization from the agency before using an improvised plate.
The authorized plate must clearly carry the words “Lost Plate” or “Improvised Plate” at the bottom.
However, authorization does not allow motorists to use a plate that copies the design of an official LTO plate.
“Kapag wala po kayong authorization to use improvised plate, i-impound ko po ang mga kotse ninyo,” Lacanilao said.
“Pero kung kayo po ay mayroong authorization to use improvised plate, at bumili kayo doon sa online na nakikita nating ginagaya ang plaka ng LTO, kukumpiskahin namin ‘yong plaka n’yong ‘yon na peke,” he added.
The LTO is coordinating with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Information and Communications Technology and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to identify and pursue online sellers of counterfeit plates and conduction stickers.
Lacanilao also directed LTO personnel to expedite authorization requests from motorists who report lost plates.
The intensified enforcement follows the voluntary surrender of a supercar formerly owned by actor Derek Ramsay after it was spotted using a plate that was not issued by the LTO.
The vehicle’s registered owner and its driver, a businessman, appeared before Lacanilao on Sunday to answer a show-cause order.
The driver admitted the violation and apologized, according to the LTO.
The vehicle remains impounded while the agency continues its investigation.
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