Motorcycle drivers in Iloilo have expressed strong opposition to the proposal to implement the ban on men riding in tandem.
Tim Apura, Iloilo Bajaj Riders president, said Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo’s proposal is “not the solution” to curb riding-in-tandem incidents.
According to him, there’s no guarantee that the driver of the motorcycle cannot commit a crime.
Apura told Panelo and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to look for other effective ways to deter crimes perpetrated by riding-in-tandem assailants.
Levy Quinto, Pigadong Sosyal Drivers Club, also disagreed with Panelo, saying that the latter’s proposal will only cause inconvenience to many people who rely on motorcycles for mobility.
Meanwhile, Felix Serisola of Red Riders in the town of Sta. Barbara said the proposed anti-riding-in-tandem policy should go through proper consultation with affected stakeholders, particularly motorcycle drivers.
For Panelo, banning backriders is the only way to prevent riding-in-tandem shootings.
“Ipagbawal nalang natin yung merong sumasakay sa motorsiklo. Tama lang yung isa lang,” he said.
While he acknowledged how couples or parents and their children would sometimes ride together, he pointed out that sacrifices are needed to ensure everyone’s safety.
“You have to choose between this and that kasi kung hindi bawal yung may kaangkas, e palaging merong ganyan because they can always pretend to be husband and wife, they can always pretend to be husband and son,” he said.IMT
Photo by Arnold Almacen
