Special car plates banned

MANILA, Philippines—The government has banned the use of so-called commemorative plates, saying these have been declared invalid as of last month and motorists caught bearing these will be arrested.

The reminder was made through social networking site Twitter on Friday, with the Department of Transportation and Communications citing an advisory from the Land Transportation Office, which regulates the issuance of license plates.

“As of July 31, all previous authorities to use commemorative plates have already expired,” DOTC said. “Therefore, all commemorative plates installed in motor vehicles are invalid and should no longer be displayed.”

“Motorist using expired commemorative plates will be apprehended,” it added.

An LTO spokesperson did not immediately respond for comment.

Earlier reports showed that some government agencies complained of the growing number of vehicles bearing commemorative plates of agencies like the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice and Armed Forces of the Philippines but were really “superimposed” and thus, not authentic. There were earlier calls for the outright ban of the use of these plates.