HPG-7: No show, no vehicle clearance

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group-7 is no longer accepting applications for motor vehicles clearance certificate unless the concerned vehicles are presented at their headquarters in Camp Sotero Cabahug for “macro-etching.”

HPG-7 director Felixberto Castillo said he started the strict implementation of the policy of their director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.

“There should be no processing of clearances in the absence of the motor vehicle. Even cargo trucks shall be required to be brought to our office for macro-etching,” Castillo explained.

The macro-etching for cargo trucks shall be done only during Saturdays while Monday thru Friday for the rest of the types of vehicles.

“Macro-etching” is a laboratory process using a chemical to determine whether the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicle are tampered with.

Castillo said that an HPG representative will observe the test which will be done by the technicians of the PNP Crime Laboratory.

A photograph of the test will be taken to support the application of the vehicle clearance.

Castillo said that only those macro-etching certificates that have actual stenciled engine and chassis numbers at the back of the form will be accepted. This means that stenciled engine and chassis numbers lifted on a scotch tape is no longer accepted.

The strict policy is one of the HPG’s ways to minimize, if not totally stop, the spread of stolen vehicles. It was reported that some stolen vehicles from Manila have already reached Cebu although six of them have already recovered. — (FREEMAN)