Res Gestae
No to 'No Plate'
As far as I remember, it is about two years now since the Philippine National Police (PNP) implemented nationwide the "No Plate, No Travel" policy. The wisdom of this campaign is obvious. It is no doubt that criminals use cars, being the fastest means, to elude arrest. Hence, the campaign is primarily aimed at either preventing crimes to happen or intercepting the perpetrators of the crimes the soonest.
The arrest recently made against Abra Governor, Vicente Valera, a prime suspect in the killing of the province’s Representative Luis "Chito" Bersamin, would indubitably become the landmark case or accomplishment of the "No Plate, No Travel" policy. It was the grandest Christmas bonus for the campaign... and, of course, for the operating police elements who well-deserved a medal for participating in the said arrest. Surely, such accomplishment did not only highlight the relevance of the campaign but also inspired our police force to man the street for a good catch.
The use of "no plate" vehicle is a common practice among perpetrators of crimes or illegal activities. Yes, not only the assassins are using cars or motorcycles without plates but also the drug dealers, gun runners, smugglers and kidnappers to mention a few. A getaway car without a plate on it could hardly be identified or traced and witnesses will find it even difficult to differentiate it from several others with similar features.
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As election period comes closer, we have to expect seeing more "no plate" vehicles traversing our highways. The reason is obvious: It is during election period that criminalities and illegal activities are rampant. Incidents of kidnapping, robbery hold-up, gun running, illegal drug trade, assassination and a lot more will surely increase. Many political candidates need these illegal activities to ensure them of the positions for which they are running.
Thus, the PNP should gear up to the higher level its implementation of pre-emptive measures against those impending crimes. Random checkpoints are seemingly not enough to deter the use of "no plate" vehicles. A 24 hour chokepoint operations with our police checking diligently the plates of each vehicle passing through our highways would not only make the "No Plate, No Travel" policy effective but also deny the legions of satan from taking possession in the seats of our government, specially this coming May 2007 elections!
But, this campaign should not only concern the PNP. Other government agencies, like the Land Transportation Office (LTO), are also enjoined to take active participation in running after users of "no plates" vehicles. Likewise, our LCEs must also show concern to this effort -- unless they too are violators of the policy, for they are most of the time the targets of riders of "no plates"!
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com).