MANILA, Philippines –- To solve the rising incidents of crime committed through the use of motorcycles, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing a two-plate policy that will require motorcycle riders to place two plate numbers on their vehicles, Director General Jesus Verzosa said Friday.

At the same time, Verzosa said that they were also studying the possibility of prohibiting full-faced and tinted headgears for motorcycle riders so that they could be recognized easily.

Verzosa’s statement came as suspects riding-in-tandem ambushed, in broad daylight, Department of Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Elmer Soneja in Pasig City last Tuesday.

Soneja is now out of danger but remains in the hospital.

“I have given directions to come up with a grand strategy towards controlling the use of motorcycles being used by criminals. We have already alerted [Retired] Generak Arturo Lomibao [chief of the Land Transportation Office] of some new policies towards the control of the plate numbers of motorcycles and also their movement,” Verzosa told reporters.

Verzosa cited countries such as Singapore and Vietnam that prohibited the use of full-faced helmets.

“These are things that we should consider in controlling crimes that are perpetrated by motorcycle-riding suspects,” he added.

Another proposal the PNP is studying is barring motorcycles in certain areas across Metro Manila.

“We must have distinctions on where to allow certain types of motorcycles. Some could be allowed only in subdivisions or residential areas and some of them can be allowed in highways,” Verzosa said.