SC asked to stop no-contact apprehension policy
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority resumed the number coding scheme on Metro Manila roads beginning Aug. 15, 2022, in anticipation of the return of face-to-face classes. (Photo by JONATHAN VICENTE / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Four transport groups have asked the Supreme Court to issue an injunction against the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) implemented by five cities in Metro Manila.
In a 47-page petition, they asked the high tribunal to declare as unconstitutional the program that uses closed-circuit television systems and digital cameras to catch motorists in the act of committing traffic violations.
They argued in their petition that motorists were “under constant threat of being arbitrarily apprehended remotely and issued notices of violation for alleged traffic offenses committed without any contact whatsoever.”
The petitioners were Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon Inc., Pasang Masda, Alliance of Concerted Transport Organizations and Altodap.
But the mayors of Parañaque, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Manila, and Muntinlupa where the NCAP was being implemented, stood by NCAP, saying it has helped them improve traffic conditions and reduce corruption among enforcers.
Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian told the Inquirer that without a court order, they fully intended to continue the program while also studying how to craft uniform guidelines to improve its implementation.
Land Transportation Office chief Teofilo Guadiz III, meanwhile, called on the mayors to sit down with the agency and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to come up with a standard set of guidelines favorable to their cities, motorists, and agencies implementing the policy.
“Once well-defined guidelines are drafted, this can perhaps be emulated by other cities who may want to implement their own NCAP,” Guadiz said.
—KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
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