Motorcycles will be required to put bigger license plates for easy identification in a bid to curb crimes based on a new law signed by President Duterte.
Republic Act No. 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, also imposes jail terms and fines on the use of a motorcycle in the commission of a crime.
“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure and safeguard its citizenry from crimes committed with the use of motorcycles through bigger, readable, and color-coded number plates and identification marks,” the law said.
Under the law, the Land Transportation Office is mandated to issue “bigger, readable, and color-coded number plates” that will be displayed on the front and back sides of a motorcycle. The number plates must be readable from the front, back, and side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters.
The LTO must also devise a color scheme of the plate numbers for every region for quick and easy identification.
“The readable number plates must be displaced in both the front and back sides of a motorcycle and shall be made of suitable and durable material as determined by the LTO,” the law added.
RA 11235 directed the LTO to keep a registry of motorcycles in a database to facilitate information retrieval for official investigation and law enforcement purposes.
The law also prohibits driving without a number plate or a readable number plate. Violators would be punished by prision correccional (six months to six years in prison) or a fine ranging P50,000 to P100,000.
Law enforcers are empowered to seize the motorcycle and surrender it to the Philippine National Police. The owner of the motorcycle can redeem the seized motorcycle from the LTO upon proof of ownership, payment of seizure costs, and compliance with a number plate.
If a motorcade is used in the commission of a crime constituting a grave felony, the owner, driver, back rider, or passenger who participated shall be punished by reclusion temporal (12 years to 20 years) to reclusion perpetua (30 years).
If the crime is less grave felony or light felony, the violators would be punished by prision correccional to prision mayor (six years to 12 years). (Genalyn Kabiling)