Highway patrol cops seize 33 ‘wang-wang’ gadgets
The Regional Highway Patrol Group 6 based in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City is conducting random inspections of vehicles suspected to have been installed with “wang-wang’ or siren to make their way through traffic.
The implementation of “no wang-wang” policy in Western Visayas led to the confiscation of 33 gadgets that obstruct and confuse traffic on highways, Senior Supt. Rodolfo Tatoy, deputy director of RHPG 6, said.
The 33 seized gadgets include four sirens, five blinkers, and 24 fog lights.
Tatoy invoked Presidential Decree 96 which prohibits the unlawful use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles and other similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds on the highways.
On first offense, he said they can only confiscate the gadget, but for the second and subsequent offenses, the violator will be turned over to the Land Transportation Office 6 for the confiscation of driver’s license and penalty of P 15,000.
The LTO 6 has the authority to take legal action against the offenders depending on the offense, Tatoy said.
Under PD 96, the offender shall be prosecuted for violation of the decree and upon conviction, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for six months and/or a fine.
The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached and used only on marked motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, police departments, fire departments, hospital ambulances, and other authorized vehicles used during emergencies.
