Cops helpless vs 'wang-wang' dealers

Despite a nationwide crackdown on unauthorized use of "wang-wang," or sirens and blinkers on vehicles, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has admitted it could not go after dealers selling the gadgets. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Friday the law against wang-wang, Presidential Decree 96, does not bar the sale of such items. "Alinsunod sa PD 96, walang pinagbabawal sa pagbenta. Ang sa batas ang attachment. (But) we are positive kung walang gagamit niyan mawawala ang nagbebenta niyan (The presidential decree does not bar the sale of such gadgets, as it only prohibits their unauthorized use. We hope dealers would stop selling once vehicle owners stop buying those gadgets)," Espina said in an interview on dzBB radio. In a separate interview on dwIZ radio, however, Espina said they are studying proposing a guideline or supplemental law to address possible "shortcomings" of PD 96. "For now we have no law against such items. Perhaps we can persuade the dealers not to sell. On the other hand, if there will be no buyers, there will be no sales," he said. The PNP started a nationwide crackdown on the sirens two days after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III spoke strongly against the use of wang-wang. "Lahat na nasa labas at sa probinsya pinagalaw na ng Director General Jesus Verzosa alinsunod sa kautusan ng ating Pangulong Benigno Aquino III (Director General Verzosa has mobilized all units in the provinces to implement the President's orders)," Espina said. In the meantime, Espina urged motorists and citizens to report violations to the PNP through text hotline 2920. He said reports should include the plate number of the offender. Inaugural speech In his inaugural address last Wednesday, Aquino hit the illegal use of wang-wang by unauthorized people, who want to pull over other motorists in traffic. On Thursday, Land Transportation Office head Alberto Suansing said President Aquino’s pronouncement has given his men a necessary boost in going after violators of Presidential Decree 96. Suansing lamented that some of his men had been grounded or transferred for crossing paths with people with connections while implementing the decree on the use of sirens and blinkers. Signed Jan. 13, 1973, PD 96 declares as unlawful the use or even attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets “that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds," including dome lights and other signaling or flashing devices. It noted much of the chaotic traffic conditions motorists suffer were due to “indiscriminate and unregulated use of these devices on vehicles on the road." “The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," the decree said. Suansing pointed out the exception automatically includes the President, as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. On the other hand, PD 96 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. Second and subsequent offenses may net the offender a six-month jail term and/or a fine of P600. In addition, the certificate of registration of the motor vehicle on which the unauthorized gadget or device herein mentioned is installed, mounted or used shall be canceled or revoked. In Metro Manila, dzBB reported police spokesman Senior Superintendent Rommel Miranda as saying cops are preparing guidelines to implement a crackdown. Miranda said they are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies including the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Land Transportati0n Office. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV