The Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) has expressed its support for the government’s renewed drive versus the use of unauthorized motor vehicle modifications such as sirens and blinkers.
In a recent memorandum, newly appointed Land Transportation Office (LTO) head Roberto Cabrera announced that “In the interest of road safety and pursuant to DOTC-LTO-LTFRB Joint Administration Order (JAO) 2014-01 the undersigned reiterates the drive against unauthorized wang-wangs (sirens), LED lights, and all other modifications.”
AAP president Gus Lagman noted that the JAO was in line with Republic Act (RA) 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and Presidential Decree (PD) 96.
“It is clearly stated in Section 34, Article IV of RA 4136 the provisions on the modifications and who could use them. PD 96–issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos—on the other hand, has given the authorities the power to confiscate such modifications,” Lagman said.
AAP vice president Johnny Angeles, who chairs AAP’s Road Safety Committee, claimed that installing the unauthorized blinkers, sirens or similar modifications is a blatant violation of the law.
“PD 96 also states that ‘Any device or gadget installed or mounted on any motor vehicle or otherwise used in violation of this Decree shall be subject to immediate confiscation and, in cases of a second and subsequent offenses, the offender shall be prosecuted for violation of this Decree before the military tribunal and, upon conviction thereof, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for six months and/or a fine of 600 pesos,” Angeles said.
Angeles added that moreover, “The certificate of registration of the motor vehicle on which the unauthorized gadget or device herein mentioned is installed, mounted or used shall be cancelled or revoked.”
The two AAP trustees pointed out that the law exempts motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), LTO, Philippine National Police (PNP) and fire department as well as hospital ambulances.
Lagman recalled that in 2010, when newly elected President Benigno S. Aquino III promised in his inaugural speech that there would be no more “wang-wangs” (sirens) or unauthorized traffic counterflows during his term, AAP offered to report to the LTO any violators seen on the road.