Metro cops express support for new law on larger motorcycle plates

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has expressed support for the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act or the Republic Act 11235 that requires the use of larger license plates for motorcycles.

NCRPO director Major General Guillermo Eleazar said Wednesday that while some groups of riders oppose the new law, it is poised to help decrease the number of crimes committed with the use of motorcycles.

“We agree with the spirit, purpose and end objective of this law. We believe that this law will help decrease crimes committed by motorcycle-riding criminals such as snatchers, holdup men, and assassins,” he said in a statement.

READ: LOOK: Thousands ride against bigger motorcycle plates

While crimes committed by motorcycle riders in Metro Manila went down by 53 percent from 2017 to 2018, Eleazar said there are always exceptions such as “callous and fearless criminals who prey on our residents and who kill for money.”

He said the law also does not generalize riders as criminals and only allows for an easier system to catch criminals in motorcycles since most of them do not use license plates at all.

“It will be easier now for the police to flag down and investigate those without plates, because of the new law. We do not even need a checkpoint now to perform our function legally,” he explained.

“Let’s give it a try,” he urged motorcycle riders, adding that the law has been studied well by members of Congress and that it should be good for the greater majority in Metro Manila.

“Here in Metro Manila, the NCRPO firmly believes that with this law, we can bring down the crime volume that motorcycle-riding criminals generate, to lower and lower levels over the months and years to come,” Eleazar said. /ee

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