PNP officer-in-charge (OIC) Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. has ordered the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to intensify the crackdown on vehicles illegally using sirens and blinkers.
Danao issued the order amid reports that some motorists continue to use such devices, in violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 96 issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973.
Under PD 96, the use of such devices is exclusive to vehicles designated for official use by the military, Land Transportation Commission (now Land Transportation Office or LTO), police and fire departments, and hospital ambulances.
“Our PNP OIC, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr, already made it clear especially to our HPG personnel to stop this practice by some of the motorists,” said PNP director for operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon.
“We expect the HPG to intensify the operations in the coming days,” De Leon also said.
De Leon said private vehicles are not authorized to use such devices under the law.
“Your PNP will not allow any person to disregard this law for whatever intention he or she has. This early, we advise the motor vehicle owners to remove their sirens and blinkers to avoid being arrested and face charges,” said De Leon.
De Leon said Danao has ordered the HPG to coordinate with the LTO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, local government units in the conduct of the intensified crackdown on vehicles with illegal sirens and blinkers.
PD 96 says such devices illegally installed on vehicles of the offenders will be seized.
In cases of second and subsequent offenses, offenders shall be prosecuted and, if convicted, shall suffer the penalty of six months and/or a fine of P600. Also, the certificate of registration of their vehicles, installed with such devices, will be cancelled or revoked.
De Leon also warned sellers and auto shops against installing sirens and blinkers on private vehicles.
