By Ercel Maandig – PNA
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A proposal by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) to ban “riding-in-tandem” has been opposed by a City Council member.
Councilor Teodulfo Lao, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on public utilities, said Wednesday the proposed ban would infringe on the rights of the riding public, and will not address crimes perpetrated by criminals on motorbikes.
Lao was responding to the request of Senior Supt. Nelson Aganon, Cocpo chief, who noted that riding-in-tandem criminals have been responsible for crimes ranging from snatching to murder.
Aganon made the request to Councilor Romeo Calizo, chairman of the peace and order committee, adding that aside from preventing crimes, prohibiting the public from riding in pairs would also minimize fatal road accidents.
However, Lao maintained that riding in pairs alone does not indicate premeditation for crime. In addition, the councilor said the proposal is not practical because the motorcycle is intended for two to three passengers.
Instead, Lao said the police should focus on manning their “checkpoints in their respective police precincts to check, monitor and ensure that any form of crime will not be committed using the same mode of transportation.”
Drivers, who use motorcycles as public transport, also agreed with Lao.
“Makulob intawon among kaldero kung wala nay ipa angkas sa motor kay di na mi maka pamasahero (Our livelihood will be affected because no one will hire us),” said Erwin Labastilla, a habal-habal driver.
