Two diesel vehicle owners surrendered green license plates that were illegally installed on their non-hybrid vehicles, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Monday.
PNP-HPG Director Col. Hansel Marantan identified the vehicles as a Nissan Navarra and a Nissan Terra, both running on diesel but fitted with green plates reserved for electric or hybrid units. The plates, reportedly issued by a dealership and possibly linked to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), were voluntarily turned over after going viral on social media.
Businessman Oliver Cutamora, owner of the Nissan Terra, said the green plates came from his dealer and that he immediately sought correction. Marantan said the case is under investigation, noting reports that fake green plates are being sold for P15,000 to P30,000.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao confirmed the vehicles were registered under regular plates and ordered a probe into how the green plates were issued. He called the incident “a serious matter” that needs tracing of those responsible. Vince Lopez
Marantan said the HPG continues to coordinate with the LTO and the Department of Energy to verify legitimate green-plate vehicles and crack down on those using them to evade number coding.
