Citing the unabated killings across the nation perpetrated by riding-in-tandem shooters, Senator Richard Gordon has called for the immediate implementation of the controversial Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act of 2019.
Gordon, principal author of the law, said the measure seeks to deter such crimes.
“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 Republic Act No. 11235 as soon as possible so we could immediately implement it,” he said.
Last week, 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, killing the two victims and injuring two other employees. The suspects fled on board a motorcycle.
Last Sunday, Fraldine Kate Ramayla Canes, 24, and her husband, Michael Canes, 27, were shot dead by two men on board a motorcycle at the corner of SB Cabahug Street and AC Cortes Avenue in Barangay Ibabao in Mandaue City. Their eight-year-old daughter survived the attack.
The couple, who were into the 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 said while the use of a motor vehicle is an aggravating circumstance under the Revised Penal Code, the current plate number of motorcycles is too small for witnesses to take note of it.
“Now, if would be easier for the culprits to escape using the motorcycle. They will just remove the motorcycle plate, which is just very small to be seen by witnesses,” he said.
Once the new law is implemented, drivers of motorcycle traversing the road without plates would be arrested.
“This law will give protection to the public, pati rin sa mga may-ari ng motor na ninakawan ng motorsiklo,” Gordon said.
