Should cars with wang-wang be given higher fine? [Poll of the Week]

Getting to and from a certain destination can sometimes take up much of your time, especially when you’re driving around a busy metropolis. This is why normal motorists plan their routes before heading out on the road.

PNP to intensify ops against illegal use of wang-wang

However, some motorists have a different and bolder way on how to get to their destination faster. The sea of vehicles along EDSA will move to either side to make way for them. What’s more interesting is that some of these motorists have flashing lights integrated into their vehicles. In some cases, the flashing lights even come with matching sirens. That scenario looks and sounds familiar, right?

Good thing though, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has voiced its intention to intensify operations against the illegal use of blinkers and sirens. The unit that will be spearheading this campaign is the Highway Patrol Group (HPG). 

The PNP-HPG is reportedly going to strictly enforce Presidential Decree (PD) No. 96, which regulates the illegal of “sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights and similar signaling or flashing devices.”

PD No. 96 only allows such devices to vehicles designated for official use by government offices, and emergency responders. This includes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and hospital ambulances. 

PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon clarified that private vehicles are not allowed to use sirens and blinkers.  

Among the penalties indicated in PD No. 96 are the confiscation of the said devices. On the second offense, the private vehicle owner shall be prosecuted and imprisoned for six months along with a fine of Php 600. Aside from that the certificate of registration will be canceled or revoked.

Moreover, the LTO also reminds us of the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, which was penned back in June 2014. Under this, the illegal use of sirens, blinders or “any improper or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts constitutes a violation. The said violation carries a fine of Php 5,000, as well as the confiscation of the device and/or gadget. A demerit point will also be tacked against the license of the erring driver. 

Sirens and blinkers are designated for official use by government offices and emergency vehicles

The LTO OIC also clarified that under the LTO Memorandum on Motorcycle Escorts and Unauthorized Use of Sirens, Blinkers, Markets, etc., only a select few government officials are allowed to use said devices on their escort vehicles. Among them are the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Those unauthorized will of course be required to take these off their vehicles, otherwise they could “face the consequences under the law.” 

The PNP-HPG confiscated 57 blinkers and nine sirens from July 1 to 8, according to a report published in Inquirer.

That said, do you think that private vehicle owners using wang-wang be given a higher fine or penalty? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.