PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday urged lawmakers to regulate the sale of sirens and blinkers to end the unauthorized use of these devices.
In a radio interview, Marbil said the law only prohibits the use of these gadgets but not their sale.
Marbil is referring to Presidential Decree 96 which says such devices can only be used by vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces, NBI, Land Transportation Commission (now Land Transportation Office), police and fire departments and hospital ambulances.
“Under the law, it’s not illegal to sell (these devices). Sirens and blinkers are not regulated items or prohibited items (for sale). What’s illegal is their installation to vehicles,” said Marbil.
Marbil said the HPG has recommended to the PNP’s legislative affairs a measure, for endorsement to Congress, that will regulate the sale of these items.
“We already communicated with our legislative affairs… and one of our recommendations is to regulate the sale (of sirens and blinkers),” Marbil said, adding motorists who have been caught illegally using these devices merely want to be able to travel faster due to the traffic congestion.
“I hope it will be part of the legislative agenda of the incoming Congress to regulate the sale of blinkers and sirens,” said Marbil.
“The sale of sirens and blinkers should be regulated. The sale, which is a root cause, should be regulated. I think it’s high time for our lawmakers to come up (with a law regulating the sale of these devices),” added Marbel.
Under PD 96, such devices illegally installed on vehicles of first-time 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 imprisonment and/or a fine of P600. The certificate of registration of their vehicles will also be cancelled or revoked.
