THE investigation on the murder of radio broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, the third media killing under the Bongbong Marcos administration, moved promptly and quite fast. In fact, charges of murder and attempted murder had been filed by police with the Calapan City regional trial court against the second gunman, Isabelo Lopez Bautista, who remains at large.
The other gunman, Narciso Ignacio Guntan, was killed when the getaway motorcycle he and Bautista used was bumped from behind by a chasing motorcycle with the victim’s son on board.
Aside from Guntan’s identity which was quickly ascertained following his death, investigators said the identification of the getaway vehicle’s license plates DD22153 led to the chase and the death of the gunman and later, to the motorcycle’s ownership.
‘The PNP is on the right track in curbing the criminal activities of lawless elements using motor vehicles with no or fake license plates.’
To further stress the importance of vehicle license plates in preventing criminal activities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will now vigorously apprehend motorists plying the streets using motor vehicles with no license plates, PNP chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said.
Acorda added that this move is part of the PNP’s strict adherence to the “no-plate, no-travel” policy, which police authorities will implement with renewed vigor nationwide. He issued the directive during a command conference in Camp Crame last week.
“There are standing rules to this effect that motorists should be aware of. The PNP, through the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), will make sure such regulations are strictly followed,” Acorda said.
The PNP is on the right track in curbing the criminal activities of lawless elements using motor vehicles with no or fake license plates. And since police officers should set an example by upholding and following the simplest of regulations at all times, not even the organic personnel of the PNP are exempted from the strict implementation of this policy.
All motor vehicles are required to have valid license plates under the “No-registration, No-Travel” policy contained in the 2015 Joint Administrative Order issued by the Department of Transportation and LTO. In the same order, a fine of P10,000 will be imposed on the owner of an unregistered vehicle, while the driver will have to pay a P1,000 fine.
Since putting order in our streets is a joint responsibility of the PNP, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the local government units, we hope that the police organization will closely coordinate with the LTO in crafting more effective means to sustain the implementation of the “no-plate, no-travel” drive.
While we are at it, it is timely to follow up with the Senate committee on justice and human rights which is handling the bill amending the law on motorcycle license plates, to hasten such amendment so that the safety of motorcyclists is assured without compromising the anti-crime aspect of the law.
