MMDA: NCAP remains suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The no-contact apprehension policy or NCAP remains suspended, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

The MMDA would not accept payment of penalties under NCAP following the suspension of the policy through a temporary restraining order the Supreme Court (SC) issued in 2022, the agency said in a statement.

The MMDA, along with the local governments of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque City, Muntinlupa and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are awaiting a decision from the SC on whether or not to implement the policy that catches traffic violators using surveillance cameras.

The MMDA made the statement following posts on social media that claimed netizens received text messages notifying them of traffic offenses under NCAP and that their penalties were three days overdue.

The messages also included links ma-gov.tw and phl-gov.tw, which would bring victims to a graphic that said they were charged with a P500 fine for distracted driving.

The agency declared the messages were “fake and malicious” and described them as scams.