LTO impounds 41 unregistered motorbikes

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Office enforcers have apprehended at least 41 motorcycle riders since the LTO started implementing its “no registration, no travel” policy on Monday, the LTO said yesterday.

All of those apprehended were from Metro Manila, which has the highest number of unregistered motor vehicles, according to LTO chief Vigor Mendoza III.

Similar operations would be carried out across the country, he added.

“There are so many motorcycles that are not registered based on our records. Many of these (have not been) registered for one to five years. We will not allow this as we assure the public that we are doing something to force the owners of the motorcycles to register,” Mendoza said.

The LTO chief said he has ordered the agency’s regional directors to coordinate with the Philippine National Police’s regional offices and local government units’ traffic enforcement units.

There are around 24.7 million delinquent vehicles or those whose owners either failed or deliberately refused to have their motor vehicles registered, according to Mendoza.

“Most of those delinquent motor vehicles, based on LTO records, are motorcycles,” he added.

Mendoza said that based on the report of the LTO’s Law Enforcement Section, enforcers were deployed in areas where motorcycle riders usually travel, such as along Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard.

“The operation we conducted in Metro Manila should serve as a warning to all delinquent motor vehicle owners to register them in the soonest possible time,” he said.