LTO busts fake license plate makers in Malabon, Davao
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has busted suspected fake license plate operations in Malabon City and Davao City, arresting eight people and seizing dozens of counterfeit license plates.
These operations were conducted on September 2 and 3 as part of the LTO’s intensified campaign against the production and sale of unauthorized plates and LTO documents under Memorandum Circular No. MVL-2026-5314.
LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said the agency is going after the people behind the production and sale of fake plates, rather than focusing only on motorists caught using them.
We are not only apprehending those who use fake plates. We are looking for where they are made and who profits from this illegal business.
In Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City, the LTO and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two individuals during an entrapment operation on September 2.
The operation followed information received by the LTO about the alleged sale of fake plates and LTO documents. Its Intelligence and Investigation Division verified the information before the Law Enforcement Service and CIDG carried out the operation.
Authorities recovered PHP 500 in marked money, fake plates, and four machines allegedly used to produce counterfeit license plates. A follow-up inspection found that a rented property was allegedly being used as a workshop and storage area for fake plates and LTO documents before they were distributed to buyers. Fake driver’s licenses were also reportedly found at the location.
The crackdown continued in Davao City the following day, with LTO personnel and the CIDG raiding five establishments along Quezon Boulevard.
Six people were arrested, and 64 fake plates were seized from Pogz Art and Sign, Eschat Art and Sign Tailoring, Sticker Art and Sign, WMT Printing Services, and Magnorms Advertising Services.
Computers, machine tools, and other equipment allegedly used to produce the plates were also confiscated. These included hammers, cutters, steel plates, sticker cutters, plain sheets, and flat screws.
Motorcycle riders caught using forged or imitated plates may face charges under the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, or Republic Act No. 11235, as amended by Republic Act No. 12209. The law imposes a penalty of six months and one day to two years in prison, a fine of up to PHP 10,000, or both for forging, imitating, altering, tampering with, covering or concealing a motorcycle plate, or intentionally using a tampered plate.
The LTO said the people arrested in the two operations could face charges under the Revised Penal Code and the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, depending on the results of the investigation.
The arrested individuals and seized evidence were turned over to the appropriate police units for processing. The LTO said it will continue working with law enforcement agencies to identify and shut down operations involved in making and selling fake plates.
