The continuous rise of killings involving motorcycle-riding gunmen is expected to take a downturn following the signing of a new law that will require all motorcycles to display bigger, more readable and color-coded number plates conspicuously attached on the front and rear side of the vehicle.
Malacañang on Thursday said President Duterte has signed into law the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act on March 8.
Under the new law, Republic Act 11235, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be tasked to issue readable license plates for every motorcycle.
The readable plates must be displayed in both the front and back sides of a motorcycle.
Motorcycle owners with number plates not in conformity with the provisions shall also renew their registration and apply for the required number plate not later than June 30, 2019.
The LTO has been given until December 31, 2019, to produce, release and issue the number plates as required by the act.
After December 31, 2019, the penal provisions on the use of bigger, readable and color-coded number plates as required under the law shall take effect.
Those who are driving sans a license plate or a readable shall also be punished by prision correccional (from six months and one day to six years imprisonment), or may be fined not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000.
Any motorcycle on the road without a number plate or a readable number plate shall also be stopped, and the vehicle shall be seized by law enforcers and will be immediately placed under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
If anyone uses the motorcycle in the commission of a crime constituting a grave felony under the Revised Penal Code, or in the escape from the scene of a crime, regardless of the stage of commission, the offense shall be punished by reclusion tempora (12 years and one day to 20 years) to reclusion perpetua (lifetime imprisonment) as provided under the Revised Penal Code.
On the other hand, the use of a motorcycle in the commission of a crime constituting a less grave felony or light felony or any other crime or in the escape from the scene of such crime, regardless of the stage of commission, shall also be punished by prision correccional to prison mayor (six years and one day to 12 years).
If a seized motorcycle is used in the commission of a crime, the maximum penalty of the relevant crime or offense shall be imposed.
A joint LTO and PNP Control Center shall be operational and accessible to facilitate the implementation of the law. It shall also be equipped with the latest available technology and adequate computers and software sufficient to immediately address any emergency or inquiry.
The LTO and the PNP-Highway Patrol Group shall also establish a hot line to specifically address concerns related to crimes or offenses committed with the use of motorcycles.
An initial funding of P150 million is appropriated for the implementation of the Act, which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
The LTO, in consultation with law enforcement and other relevant agencies, shall also promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the newly signed law.
A Congressional Oversight Committee on the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act is also created to review the implementation of the law one year after the effectivity of the Act.
The law shall take effect after 15 days following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.