More cops tapped to watch Marilaque stretch in Rizal
More police officers and Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel will be stationed along Marilaque Road in Rizal province to ensure safety of motorists and travelers following multiple cases of accidents involving motorcyclists performing stunts and holding races.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, also the LTO chief, on Monday met with Police Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta, officer in charge of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation and coordination to keep motorists safe along this road, also known as the Marikina-Infanta Highway.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mendoza said he was planning to launch a road safety refresher course for motorcycle drivers and require driver’s license applicants to undergo not only theoretical, but also practical examinations before they are issued licenses.
Mendoza said the LTO was also determining the people or groups organizing these exhibitions so the government could file criminal and administrative complaints against them.
‘Bad model’
“The HPG and LTO are joining forces to stop these exhibitionists once and for all. You’re a bad model to the general public. Other people might think that it’s okay to do what you’re doing,” he said.
Last Sunday, a “motovlogger,” identified as John Louie Arguelles, died after he and another rider performing the so-called “Superman stunt” (driver in a prone position aboard his moving motorcycle, akin to Superman flying) crashed at a sharp bend on Marilaque Road’s popular “Devil’s Corner” in Tanay town. At least five other kibitzers were also injured after being hit by the motorcycles.
Mendoza said he already instructed Elmer Decena, LTO regional director in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), to coordinate with the local police and local government unit (LGU) concerned to prevent Marilaque Road from being turned into a motorcycle exhibition area.
“We have to put a stop to this practice because it endangers the lives of not only the motorcycle riders but also the other road users passing in the area. In coordination with the PNP and the LGU, we will make our presence felt in the area to run after those who are using that public road for daredevil stunts and other motorcycle-riding exhibitions,” he said.
“They’re so bold, they post what they’re doing on social media, so we will use social media to go after them,” he added.
Mendoza said a show cause order would be issued against the survivor of the Sunday accident, requiring him to explain why his driver’s license should not be revoked for the stunt. One of the administrative charges he will face is reckless driving.
