Cops to crack down on ‘8’ plates

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will crack down on congressional protocol plates after Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered their recall.

Vehicles that bear the “8” plates will be flagged down and their drivers issued traffic violation tickets by HPG police officers – even if the vehicles are carrying lawmakers – and fined P5,000, PNP-HPG head Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said yesterday.

Arroyo ordered the recall of congressional protocol plates issued during the 16th Congress or earlier following a road rage incident caught on viral video. 

Singer Jojo Valerio was arrested on Tuesday night after he was seen in the video punching a motorist along McArthur Highway in Angeles City, Pampanga.