Tarlac Police confiscates 54 'loud' motorcycle horns

A total of 54 motorcycle horns were confiscated by Tarlac City Police, says in violation of PD 96

Just recently, Tarlac City Police personnel under the direct supervision of Police Lt. Col. Alex M Apolonio, confiscated a total of 54 motorcycle horns at their checkpoint in Barangay Salapungan, in the said city, as part of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) protocols.

These motorcycle horns, or “snail horns”, were deemed by the policemen as “exceptionally loud” and in violation of Tarlac City Ordinance 005-11 or the Ordinance Regulating the Use of Excessive and Unreasonable Noise in the City of Tarlac; Republic Act 4136 art. 4 sec. 34, and Presidential Decree 96 Declaring unlawful the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and other signaling or flashing devices on motor vehicles and providing certain exceptions thereof.

Illegal or not illegal?

^{Photo courtesy of Tarlac City Police Station}

Motorcycle groups, particularly the Motorcycle Rights Organization, has raised concern over the confiscation of the said motorcycle horns. “Aftermarket horns are not illegal as long as it does not sound like sirens or anything used by police, ambulance, firetrucks or any emergency vehicles,” said its chairman, Jobert Bolanos.

Netizens have also observed that the policemen lacked the necessary apparatus like a decibel meter to justify the horns as being exceptionally loud, as well as the fact that the horns confiscated, were typically used in cars and are legal.

"The law, based on LTO documents, does not prohibit the use of aftermarket parts as long as it complies with the base regulations. This is a blatant act by the Tarlac City Police and is considered an abuse of authority, involving grave irregularities in the performance of duty as well as grave misconduct."

We're still trying to reach Tarlac City Police for comments as of this writing.