NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Takip Plaka? MMDA And LTO Say 'Nice Try'-You’re Not Getting Away That Easily
Photo credit: MMDA
If you’ve been thinking about covering up your license plate to dodge the law, you might want to think again. The MMDA and LTO are cracking down hard on motorists using the “Takip Plaka” trick to avoid getting caught by the Non-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). Spoiler alert: it’s not working.
Just recently, MMDA Special Operations Group Strike-Force Head Gabriel Go personally turned over a pile of evidence—yep, photos of vehicles with tampered or hidden plates—to the Land Transportation Office. These weren’t just random snapshots either. They came from CCTV footage, online reports, and even social media posts showing drivers trying to beat the system.
“Over 50 motorists could be slapped with criminal charges for this,” Go shared during a press briefing at the LTO office in Quezon City. “Since NCAP was re-implemented, 90% of violators caught on cam had their plates covered—most of them motorcycles.”
MMDA Chair Atty. Don Artes isn’t taking this lightly either. He’s already ordered MMDA field teams to issue citations on the spot for any vehicle spotted with a hidden plate. And yes, they’re using their command center’s high-tech CCTV setup to keep a close watch.
LTO Executive Director Greg Pua Jr. also made it clear: they’re not letting this slide. He said violators will be getting a show cause order pronto, and reminded everyone that under the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 11235), purposefully hiding your plate number could land you in jail for up to two years—or cost you P10,000.
“No one escapes the law,” Pua stressed. “Covering your plate is already a violation. We’re going after them not just to enforce the law, but also to keep roads safe for everyone.”
And it’s not just the drivers who are being warned. LTO is also going after those selling plate-hiding accessories online and spreading how-to guides on social media. They’re coordinating with the Anti-Cybercrime Group and other law enforcement units to put a stop to this shady trend.
So if you see a “takip plaka” in action, MMDA and LTO are encouraging you to report it. Because in the age of CCTVs and online sleuths, there really is no escaping the eye of the law.
Just recently, MMDA Special Operations Group Strike-Force Head Gabriel Go personally turned over a pile of evidence—yep, photos of vehicles with tampered or hidden plates—to the Land Transportation Office. These weren’t just random snapshots either. They came from CCTV footage, online reports, and even social media posts showing drivers trying to beat the system.
“Over 50 motorists could be slapped with criminal charges for this,” Go shared during a press briefing at the LTO office in Quezon City. “Since NCAP was re-implemented, 90% of violators caught on cam had their plates covered—most of them motorcycles.”
MMDA Chair Atty. Don Artes isn’t taking this lightly either. He’s already ordered MMDA field teams to issue citations on the spot for any vehicle spotted with a hidden plate. And yes, they’re using their command center’s high-tech CCTV setup to keep a close watch.
LTO Executive Director Greg Pua Jr. also made it clear: they’re not letting this slide. He said violators will be getting a show cause order pronto, and reminded everyone that under the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 11235), purposefully hiding your plate number could land you in jail for up to two years—or cost you P10,000.
“No one escapes the law,” Pua stressed. “Covering your plate is already a violation. We’re going after them not just to enforce the law, but also to keep roads safe for everyone.”
And it’s not just the drivers who are being warned. LTO is also going after those selling plate-hiding accessories online and spreading how-to guides on social media. They’re coordinating with the Anti-Cybercrime Group and other law enforcement units to put a stop to this shady trend.
So if you see a “takip plaka” in action, MMDA and LTO are encouraging you to report it. Because in the age of CCTVs and online sleuths, there really is no escaping the eye of the law.
Jun 2, 2025
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