Is This an Anti-Smoke Belching Scam?
(Image of a smoke belching vehicle, not related to the story. From: huli-ka.blogspot.com)
We received a report from a certain netizen stating experience regarding a possible anti-smoke belching scam in Pasay.
According to the report, the incident happened along Macapagal Road going to Coastal Road after DFA at 3PM last September 30, 2014.
Here’s the detailed story:
pinatabi kami ng isang PASAY ASBU na ang pangalan ay *****. hinahanapan kami ng copy ng emission test dahil requirement daw yun as per Pasay regulation. at dahil wala kami maipakita ay sinabihan kami na may maliit na station sila dun para sa isang quick emission test at kelangan magbayad ng 500 pesos at kapag bumagsak ang sasakyan namin sa emission test ay kukumpiskahin ang plate number ng sasakyan at tutubusin sa pasay sports complex at magbabayad pa ng 1500 pesos.
(Rough translation: A PASAY ASBU (Anti-Smoke Belching Unit) named ***** asked us to pull over. He was looking for a copy of the vehicle’s emission test because, according to him, it is a requirement as per Pasay regulation. Since we cannot show him and emission test document, he told us to go to their small station nearby for a quick emission test and said that we should pay 500 Pesos for it. If our car fails the emission test, they will confiscate the car’s plate number and we have to get them from the Pasay Sports Complex with a fine of 1500 Pesos.)
humingi na kami ng payo sa nagseservice ng sasakyan namin. pinakausap ko na rin dun sa nanghuli saamin para ipaliwanag na ipinasa sa LTO yung emission test kaya nga nakapagpa-renew ng rehistro ang sasakyan. ngunit pinagpipilitan pa rin ni ***** na kung wala yung copy ay kelangan namin mag pa emission test
(Rough translation: We called the office who provides maintenance service for our car and asked for their advice. We also asked them to talk to the people who pulled us over to explain that the LTO is the one doing the emission test when we renew our car’s license from them. However, ***** emphasized that if we don’t have any documents to present then our car will need to undergo the emission test there.)
pinayuhan na kami nang nagseservice ng sasakyan na kunin ang pangalan at kuhanan ng video ang lahat dahil isa daw itong “hulidap”. kung magbabayad din daw ako para sa emission test ay humingi daw ako ng resibo at pa pirmahin sila para may katibayan.
(Rough translation: We were advised by the office who does maintenance on our car to get the name and record on video everything that is happening as this might be a case of “hulidap” — a modus where they apprehend you to extort money from you. If we were to pay for the emission test, we should also get a receipt and ask them to sign so we have proof of what has happened.)
PERO biglang nagbago! ang sabi nang nag emission test ay WALA DAW BABAYARAN KAHIT SINGKO! meron nga silang mga kinuhanan ng plate number na mga hindi pumasa sa emission test at pilit na pinapatingnan nya sakin pero dahil wala akong tiwala ay hindi na ako lumayo.
(Rough translation: Suddenly, things changed. They told us that we didn’t have to pay anything for the emission test. They told us that there are other people there whose cars failed the emission test and their plates were confiscated. They kept telling us to check them but we didn’t bother because we didn’t want to get far from our vehicle.)
Note: dapat ay hinanapan ko muna ng katibayan at pirmado ng pamahalaan ng pasay na legal ang ginagawa ng PASAY ASBU at dapat handa ang video recording ng cellphone basta may ganitong pangyayari.
(Rough translation: Note: We should have asked them to show us a signed proof from the local government of Pasay to show that what they are doing is legal. Also, always record on video on your cellphone in case something like this happens to you.)
What do you think?
Is this an anti-smoke belching scam or is it legit?
Share with us your thoughts.
Is This an Anti-Smoke Belching Scam?
