Press Release
July 25, 2017

GORDON SEES POSSIBLE END OF RIDING-IN-TANDEM CRIMES WITH BIGGER MOTORCYCLE PLATE NUMBERS

With the Senate passing on third and final reading the bill requiring bigger and more readable plate number for motorcycles, Senator Richard J. Gordon has expressed hope that the Philippines will soon see an end to riding in tandem crimes once the measure is passed into law.

Gordon, principal author of Senate Bill No. 1397 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act of 2017, pointed out that the proposed measure will take a bite out of crime, at the same time voicing optimism that it will deter, if not totally stop, crimes perpetrated by criminals on board motorcycles.

"By increasing the size and visibility of the motorcycle plates to be able to read the plate numbers from a distance, witnesses and law enforcement agencies are aided in the identification of motorcycle riders who are involved in accidents or criminal activities. Ang masasamang-loob matatakot nang gumawa ng krimen on board motorcycles dahil madali ng mabasa ang mga plate numbers," the senator stressed, noting that most crimes committed by riding in tandems have remained unsolved to this day because authorities have difficulty in finding witnesses who could positively identify the plate numbers of motorcycles used in the commission of crimes.

"It is about time that we pass this measure and take a bite out of crimes. For the past several decades, mababasa mo sa mga pahayagan, somebody gunned down by assassins on board motorcycles; sa mga police blotters may hinablutan ng bag, may inagawan ng phone or kinuhanan ng alahas. We have to put a stop to these crimes and making the plate numbers bigger is one step closer to attaining this," he added.

Data from the Philippine National Police showed that from 2010-2017, a total of 39,890 cases of different riding in tandem crimes was reported, of which 10,931, or almost 28 percent, were shooting incidents.

Salient features of Senate Bill No. 1397 includes mandating the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to issue bigger and reflectorized license plates to every motorcycle and scooter in the country which must be placed in both front and rear parts of the motorcycle. The plate numbers should be big enough to be readable from a distance of between 12 to 15 meters.

The measure also mandates the LTO to devise a color scheme of the plate numbers for every region to easily identify where such motorcycle was registered, together with an alphanumeric system for easier identification and recollection by the general public.

Gordon's bill was approved with 21 affirmative votes and no negative vote.

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