'No plate, no travel' policy vs poll violence

In a bid to prevent poll-related violence leading to the May 14 elections, police in Western Visayas have started implementing an "intensified" no-plate, no-travel policy in the region. Sun-Star Iloilo (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday that the proactive measure aims to prevent criminals from using unmarked vehicles to hide their identities. Western Visayas police regional director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay said criminal activities are expected to increase in coming weeks due to partisan politics and other motivations. Dulay said he directed all police units under his command to arrest drivers whose vehicles have expired conduction sticker, fake plates, illegally transpired plates and unauthorized/expired commemorative plates. "PNP units conducting checkpoint/chokepoint operations were directed to give special attention to cars without plates for these might be carrying criminal elements and partisan armed groups," he added. Also covered by the policy are persons using government vehicles without license plates or privately owned vehicles of government officials without plates. Dulay asked the public as well to support the campaign by reporting to the nearest police station the presence of unmarked or vehicles without plates in their areas. In areas where telephone lines are available, he urged the public to dial the PNP Hotline 117 or 116 to report any suspicious elements present in their area. - GMANews.TV