Driving sans license plates cost him plenty
By Margaux C. Ortiz
Inquirer News Service


DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLES without license plates.

A De La Salle University student learned this lesson the hard way when operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) shot the tires of his Honda CRV after he went against the flow of traffic on Quezon Boulevard following a brief car chase the other day.

Jackson Tan Ong, 23, a BS Computer Applications student, now faces charges of reckless driving and damage to property after his CRV rammed into four vehicles near Plaza Miranda, according to MPD District Intelligence and Investigation Division (DIID) head Supt. George Gaddi.

When DIID operatives noticed that Ong's vehicle had no plates at the Liwasang Bonifacio area around 2:30 p.m., they tried to flag down the CRV in accordance with the PNP's "no plate, no travel" policy, Gaddi explained.

The police decided to go after Ong when he ignored them, Gaddi said.

"Apparently scared, he drove his vehicle toward Quezon Bridge and went against the flow of traffic, damaging four vehicles in the process," Gaddi said.

He explained that the DIID operatives had to shoot the CRV's tires to prevent further havoc.

PO2 Ireneo Sosas of the MPD Station 3 added that apart from deflated wheels, the Honda CRV also had bullet holes on its fender. Ong was brought to the MPD Headquarters but was released in the custody of his lawyer early yesterday morning, Gaddi said.