A text circulating on Facebook (FB) claims that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has resumed its No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). This is not true. The temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court against NCAP is still in effect.
The text claimed the NCAP, which utilizes closed-circuit television (CCTV) and digital cameras to capture videos and images of traffic violators, is now being enforced. A portion of the circulating text states:
“MMDA reminders:The NO CONTACT POLICY is now in full force. This means that no MMDA traffic enforcer will flag down any driver for any traffic violation on the road but instead, will monitor violations onscreen via the CCTV camera. Consequently, car registered owners will be informed of violations via post mail and shall be given only 5 days to contest the violations. If the MMDA office does not receive any contest after 10 days, MMDA shall effect a prescribed fine and shall indicate or show the fine during registration renewal.”
On Feb. 14, a FB page also posted a graphic carrying the same text with logos of the MMDA and the National Capital Region Police Office.
This is false. The NCAP remains suspended after the Supreme Court issued a TRO on August 30, 2022. It prohibited apprehensions through NCAP programs and ordinances until further order as a response to petitions that challenged the policy’s constitutionality. The SC held oral arguments on NCAP’s legality last year but has yet to resolve the issue.
In its Feb. 14 advisory, the MMDA disowned the circulating social media posts and warned netizens of unverified information online.
“Ang post at mensaheng kumakalat sa social media ukol sa pagpapatupad muli ng No Contact Apprehension Policy ay PEKE at hindi nanggaling sa MMDA. Nananatiling suspendido ang operasyon ng NCAP mula pa noong 2022 bunsod na rin ng pagpapalabas ng temporary restraining order ng Supreme Court, (The post and message circulating on social media about the reenforcement of the No Contact Apprehension Policy is FAKE and did not come from the MMDA. The operation of NCAP remains suspended since 2022 due to the issuance of a temporary restraining order by the Supreme Court),” a part of the advisory read.
The agency also urged the public to reach out to the official MMDA Hotline 136 and their official accounts for inquiries regarding the NCAP.
The same false text first circulated online as early as 2022 and was debunked by the MMDA.
The false post resurfaced days after the agency suspended the number coding scheme in Metro Manila on Feb. 9 for the Chinese New Year.
VERA Files Fact Check also debunked other false advisories passed off as coming from government agencies. (Read The PCG has NOT YET released recruitment calls for 2024)
Several FB users, pages such as PCADG Metro Manila (created on Oct. 30, 2020 as Friends of PCADG) and groups such as VIOS NATION (Feb. 21, 2015) circulated the false text.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)