PRO7 Welcomes ‘Anti Riding-in-Tandem’ Ordinance

The Police Regional Office (PRO)7 welcomed the proposed provincial ordinance banning men riding in tandem in a motorcycle within the whole province of Cebu.

“We welcomed the said ordinance discouraging criminals from committing crimes to literally lessen the volume of crimes in the province,” said PSSupt. Conrado S. Capa said during the 79th Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) Forum.

Provincial board member Arleigh Sitoy, the principal sponsor, said ordinance is now waiting approval by the provincial body.

It aims at curbing all kinds of criminalities such as murder, robbery, rape, and all other related crimes inspired by criminals who are riding in tandem at one motorcycle.

But prior to its approval, the proponent may face first with the public sentiment in a public hearing to be conducted, to get the pros and cons from observers, and most of all to those who will be directly affected with the move. By means of public hearing, every gray area of the proposal may be given a clearer meaning by the public who may air their sentiment against it.

“That’s why we also try to listen first the reaction of the people who maybe invited during a public hearing because any law such like this must need to be heard to get a clearer picture of everything before its implementation,” Capa said.

He said that Mandaluyong City is the first in the whole country to implement this kind of law, when their volume of crimes were ascending and noted to have committed mostly by two men riding in motorcycles.

However, Capa said the Mandaluyong law only restricted the riding in tandem of persons who are not related in consanguinity with each other.

“But to husband and wife, father and son or daughter, they are all given exemption to the said law which gave positive results in maintaining peace and order in the whole city,” Capa added.

The said law is also implemented in Columbia, the country noted for rampant illegal drugs in the whole world, according to Capa.

“This means that in areas where uncontrollable crimes are noted especially if some of its perpetrators are men riding a motorcycle like what we have witnessed here in Cebu province,the law banning them has proven effective,” Capa pointed out.

Capa expressed favor of this move if the Capitol lawmakers will successfully pass this ordinance.

Police authorities were alarmed over the increasing volume of crimes in the province daily, and were mostly pointed to men riding in tandem in a motorcycle.

However, Capa said that if the said ordinance is approved, passenger motorcycles locally known sa ‘habal-habal’ may be the first one to be affected.

“Because it is their means of livelihood, their side must also be considered during the public hearing,” Capa said.

The proponent has not yet set any specific date with regards to a public hearing.