CEBU CITY – After receiving orders in connection with the ban on blazing sirens and similar devices, which was highlighted by President Benigno 'Noynoy' C. Aquino III in his inaugural address, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has proceeded to confiscate hundreds of such gadgets including, as well, numerous fog and strobe lights and blinkers.

PRO 7 Deputy Regional Director for Administration S/Supt. Silvestre Primero, in a recent police forum here, bared that around 727 sirens, fog lights and blinkers have been confiscated and surrendered in the four provinces of Central Visayas since the President issued the order in his inaugural address last June 30.

Primero said under the law, those caught violating the unauthorized use of blazing sirens and other similar devices for the second time will be prosecuted with penalties of six months imprisonment and payment of a P600 fine.

Further, second offense violators will be subject for heavier penalties.

However, the police official clarified that mobile patrol cars are exempted from the no 'wang-wang (siren)' policy. “The President's directive expresses clearly that the police is not exempted from the rule,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Highway Patrol Group has netted the most number of confiscations with 395 'wang-wang' gadgets, followed by the Cebu City Police Office with 165 devices, the Mandaue City Police Office with 73, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) with 66, and the Lapu-lapu City Police Office with 27 seized gadgets.

In Bohol, only one gadget was confiscated; while representatives speaking for the Siquijor and Negros Oriental Police Offices reported that no one in their respective areas of responsibility have been caught using such devices.