BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has so far impounded 334 unregistered motorcycles following the launching of its Project: Katawhayan sa Dalan (Peace and Order on the Road) last month to curb crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding suspects.

It also issued 603 citations to motorcycle drivers and passengers not wearing helmets.

During a recent meeting of the City Peace and Order Council, Senior Insp. Lester Leada, chief of operations and plans of BCPO, said the seized motorcycles with no official receipts and certificates of registration are impounded by the BCPO under the supervision of the Traffic Management Unit.

"Stickers were also issued to owners of motorcycles that have the necessary registration papers," he said.

Leada said these stickers are visibly posted on motorcycles and owners are given motor vehicle emergency cards with the different emergency contact numbers of police stations.

A total of 714 stickers were to issued to registered motorcycle owners while 74 tickets, to motorcycles with passengers below 7 years old, a violation of City Ordinance No. 469.

Under Project: Katawhayan sa Dalan, all 10 police stations, including the Bacolod City Public Safety Company, conduct checkpoint operations against identified/wanted personalities and reported lost or carnapped motor vehicles and motorcycles.

The "Oplan Sita" is implemented on moving vehicles, especially motorcycles and other suspicious motor vehicles.

Drivers with impoundable violations are issued receipts prior to impounding while other violations not subject for seizure are issued corresponding Temporary Operators Permit as stated in the provisions of the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines and municipal or city traffic ordinances.*NLG