Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Implementing bigger and readable license plates will not address motorcycle-related crimes, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said on Tuesday.
“Hindi malulutas ng mas malalaking plaka ang kriminalidad. Criminals using stolen plates are a problem now and will remain that way, if left unaddressed,” Alejano said in a statement.
Alejano was reacting on the newly signed Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law, which sought to end the use of motorcycles in crime by requiring bigger, readable and color-coded license plates to motorcycles in the Philippines.
Under the new law, new plates should be big enough to be readable from a distance of at least 15 meters.
READ: Duterte signs law requiring bigger, color-coded license plates for motorcycles
Alejano, however, explained that the law is an “ineffective band-aid solution” as motorcycle riders are faced with “safety hazards” and implementation problems from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“Motorcyclists also face possible safety hazards as they themselves have expressed. There is also the problem of implementation, with the LTO itself saying that it would be a challenge to make plates visible from a distance of 15 meters,” he said.
The government must put up closed-circuit television to monitor crimes conducted by motorcycle riders, Alejano noted.
“If monitoring is difficult, the use of technology such as CCTVs must be employed; if apprehension is a challenge greater police presence is required,” he said.
Alejano added that the government should first examine the motivations of the crime.
“Bago natin masagot kung paano sugpuin, kailangan nating alamin kung bakit may krimen. Kahirapan, kagutuman, at kawalan ng trabaho ay mga pangunahing dahilan na dapat nating lunasan. We must worry less about the instrument, but rather the motivations of the crime,” he said. /jpv