Solon complains to PNP-HPG, LTO over fake diplomatic plates

A member of Congress on Sunday expressed alarm over the supposed proliferation of fake diplomatic plates and urged the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to take action on the issue.

Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party-list Rep. Jericho Jonas Nograles said temporary and unauthorized diplomatic plates are being used by motorists to get out of heavy traffic.

Nograles said he has personally witnessed a convoy of vehicles blaring with sirens and blinkers and bearing only temporary car plates with markings "FOR REGISTRATION/DIPLOMATIC/ UN SPECIALIZED AGENCY GIDIFA" at the southbound lane of EDSA last August 1.

In a letter sent to PNP-HPG Director Senior Superintendent Antonio Gardiola, the lawmaker said the act was in violation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 96 and Republic Act (RA) 4136.

PD 96 declares as unlawful the use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that make loud or startling sounds, including flashing devices on motor vehicles.

The same is prohibited under Section 34 of RA 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Only motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances are allowed to use such devices, Nograles pointed out.

The lawmaker further claimed that GIDIFA, which stands for Global Infrastructure, Development and International Finance Agency, is a “bogus agency with no connection to the United Nations.”

He suspected that the vehicles were using sirens and fake diplomatic plates to force their way through EDSA's notorious traffic gridlock.

"This agency is a sham. The United Nations has no such specialized agency so I can only assume that this group is using the UN for some nefarious activities, including the use the fake diplomatic plates and credentials," Nograles said adding that he is now studying the possibility of filing a resolution to investigate GIDIFA. —ALG, GMA News