Photo credit: LTO

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Jayart Tugade has reiterated the strict prohibition on law enforcers and deputized agents from confiscating license plates, also known as "baklas-plaka," from apprehended vehicles.

This reminder comes amidst public complaints regarding the alleged removal of license plates from vehicles involved in traffic violations.

LTO Chief Tugade clarified the matter through a memorandum he signed, which refers to the existing provision in Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01. The JAO states that driver's licenses, student permits, or vehicles can only be subjected to alarm if the corresponding fine for the apprehended driver or vehicle cannot be immediately imposed or paid.

"In all cases where the penalty includes the confiscation, suspension or revocation of a driver's license or student permit as well as the suspension or revocation of the registration of a motor vehicle or impounding the motor vehicle, and the same cannot be immediately implemented, the driver's license, the student permit, or motor vehicle as the case may be shall be put on alarm until the proper penalty may be implemented," the JAO states.

In line with this, LTO Chief Tugade emphasized in his memorandum that all LTO law enforcers and deputized agents should refrain from removing license plates unless the apprehended vehicles can be impounded.

LTO Chief Tugade assured the public that the agency's central command center would promptly provide information to its personnel on the streets regarding alarmed vehicles. This measure aims to ensure that law enforcers are aware of which vehicles have been subjected to alarm status.