PNP-HPG Begins Crackdown on '8' Protocol License Plates

Following House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's  recent order that all protocol license plates with the number 8 issued during the previous Congresses be recalled, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has said that it will start going after motorists using the said protocol '8' plates.

HPG Director Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo issued the directive following Macapagal-Arroyo's recall order in the aftermath of a viral video that saw entertainer Jojo Valerio alight from a Toyota FJ Cruiser with an '8' protocol plate and accost and punch repeatedly a helpless motorists as a result of a traffic altercation.

"Nag-issue na ako sa lahat ng ating chiefs nationwide na mag-conduct ng crackdown sa plaka na 8 at mabuti nga naman na ang ating Congress nag-issue na rin na i-surrender na ang ganitong plaka. Tutulungan naming ang Congress na hanapin ‘yung mga plaka and we will crack down on plate number 8 (I already issued an order to all our chiefs nationwide to crack down on those vehicles with licence plates 8 and good thing Congress also issued an order to surrender these kind of plates. We will also help the Congress to locate these plates)," Fajardo said.

Fajardo added that the PNP-HPG will also check with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if other commemorative plates are still valid or have expired.