GORDON PRESSES NEED FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF MOTORCYCLE CRIME PREVENTION ACT

Citing the unabated killings across the nation perpetrated by riding-in-tandem shooters, Senator Richard J. Gordon has called for the immediate implementation of Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act of 2019 to deter the commission of such acts.

Gordon, principal author and sponsor of RA 11235, made the call following the latest killings in the Visayas in the past few days.

"We really have to do something to stop these killings with impunity. That is why I am calling on the LTO (Land Transportation Office) to craft the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of RA 11235 as soon as possible so we could immediately implement it. Because this law is meant to obviate crimes perpetrated by criminals using motorcycles as get-away vehicles," he stressed.

Last Friday, award-winning homegrown barista John Michael Hermoso, 29, and Kis Tryvl Ramos, 21, who was set to graduate with a degree in psychology from the University of the Philippines-Cebu this June, were killed in a shooting incident at the coffee shop in Cebu City where they both worked. Two assailants wearing helmets entered the shop and opened fire after it closed for the night, killing the two victims and injuring two other employees. The assailants fled on board a motorcycle.

Meanwhile last Sunday, Fraldine Kate Ramayla Canes, 24, and her husband, Michael Canes, 27, who were on a motorcycle, were shot dead by two men on another motorcycle at the corner of SB Cabahug Street and AC Cortes Avenue in Barangay Ibabao in Mandaue City at past 11 p.m. Their eight-year-old daughter, who was with couple on the motorcycle, survived the attack.

The couple, who were into the RTW (ready to wear) clothes business, were on their way home after coming from the North Bus terminal to send some of their products to Bantayan Island in northern Cebu when they were attacked.

Gordon pointed out that while the use of motor vehicle is an aggravating circumstance under the Revised Penal Code, the current plate number of motorcycles is too small that witnesses can hardly take note of it.

"Ngayon, madaling makatakas ang mga salarain gamit ang motorsiklo dahil either tinatanggalan nila ng plaka o di kaya napakaliit nito para makita ng mga witnesses. Kapag inimplement na natin ang RA 11235, huhulihin na ang mga motorsiklo na tumatakbo ng walang plaka at madali na ding mabasa at matandaan ang mga plaka. Kaya this law will give protection to the public, pati rin sa mga may-ari ng motor na ninakawan ng motorsiklo," he stressed.