HPG probing alleged production of fake '8' plates

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Sunday it is investigating the alleged production of fake protocol license plates bearing the number 8, that may be used to imply that a vehicle is owned by a member of the House of Representatives. 

This came after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said that the "8" protocol plate on the SUV in a viral road rage video seems fake as he condemned the SUV driver’s misuse of the said plate.

According to PNP-HPG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang, they are currently looking into the incident, and will release more information once they have finished their investigation.

“Ongoing din ‘yung ating mga isinasagawa na mga verification din sa mga natutukoy na ng ating mga intelligence officer within the HPG dito nga sa production ng fake plates,” Malang said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Our verification regarding the production of fake plates is also ongoing, headed by our HPG intelligence officers.) 

Velasco had emphasized that using a fake special plate number is illegal and constitutes a punishable offense under existing laws, adding that it “is a serious matter that undermines the integrity of official markings and erodes public trust.”

“From watching the viral video, it would seem that the protocol plate is fake. It does not seem to have the security features of an original '8' protocol plate. Our law enforcement agencies can easily identify fake plates and confiscate them,” he said.

Velasco also called on the appropriate authorities to conduct an investigation and punish the individual involved. —RF, GMA Integrated News