2 nabbed for making fake car plates in QC

Authorities on Wednesday arrested two persons manufacturing fake car plates in Quezon City.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Emil Sumangil, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel nabbed Jahaziel Alcantara and Kristine Nemen, who were allegedly creating "commemorative plates" with markings similar to Philippine National Police (PNP) and PDP-Laban, plate number 17 for city prosecutor, plate number 8 for congressmen and even plate number 1 for the Philippine president.

"Itong mga nakaw na sasakyan, nagagawan nila ng paraan, nakakahanap sila ng plaka. So ito 'yung kanilang kino-contact para maglagay don," said QCPD director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar.

The report said the fake car plates are often used by motorists to avoid traffic apprehension and to circumvent number coding scheme.  The plates could also be used as replacement by car thieves.

The suspects admitted that they do not have permit from LTO to manufacture car plates. They insisted, however, that they are not part of any syndicate.

"Ginagawa po lang po namin 'yan for temporary plate. So kumpiyansa po kami na 'di namin nilagyan ng security features 'yan," said Alcantara.

Police are looking into the possibility that the arrested individuals are connected to some LTO officials.

"Oh well technical adviser, pwede kasi na dating galing sa LTO na... hindi natin malaman kung hanggang ngayon may connect doon," Eleazar said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News