LTO halts license plate confiscations

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) asserted that the confiscation of motor vehicle license plates during apprehensions is not allowed.

LTO Chief Jose Arturo Tugade issued a memorandum on the subject following the issues raised by the public concerning license plate confiscation by its enforcers and deputized agents.

In a memorandum, the agency emphasized the provisions stated under Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01, noting that a driver's license, student permit, or motor vehicle can only be flagged if the apprehending law enforcer cannot immediately administer the relevant penalty to the vehicle or driver.

"In all instances 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 placed on alarm until the proper penalty may be implemented," Tugade — as mentioned in the aforementioned order — reiterated.

Further, the LTO chief highlighted that all its enforcers and authorized agents are barred from seizing license plates if they cannot impound the apprehended motor vehicles.

In addition, Tugade has reassured the public that the agency's central command center can swiftly relay information about flagged motor vehicles to law enforcement officers in the field.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Jayart Tugade Facebook page

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