IMPOUNDED. The Kidapawan City Police Office yard is filled with impounded motor vehicles as part of Oplan Lambat Bitag's implementation in Kidapawan City. More than 700 individuals have been charged for violating traffic laws in Kidapawan City during the Oplan's two-month implementation, police said Saturday (July 20, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Kidapawan CPO)
COTABATO CITY -- More than 700 individuals have been charged for violating traffic laws in Kidapawan City during the implementation of “Oplan Lambat Bitag” these past two months, police said Saturday.
Lt. Col. Maria Joyce Birrey, Kidapawan City police director, said the implementation of “Oplan Lambat Bitag” was aimed at addressing the rising cases of motorcycle theft and other crimes involving men riding in tandem on motorbikes.
The localized “Oplan” was launched in partnership with the Land Transportation Office and the City Traffic Management Office.
The violations ranged from no driver’s license, no official receipt, and no certificate of registration of motorcycle, no signal lights, and no headlights.
Birrey said of the 742 apprehensions that the police conducted, 347 of those impounded were single motorcycles while the remaining were tricycles and two four-wheeled vehicles.
“Of the total number, 393 were gradually released after the issuance of Temporary Operator’s Permit and the paying of corresponding penalties to the city government,” the police official said in a phone interview.
Due to the intensified “Oplan Lambat Bitag,” Birrey said cases of motorcycle theft and other crimes have declined. (PNA)
