The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) increased their presence and patrols along the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway after a recent viral video showed the fatal crash of two racing motorcycle riders.
“The two motorcycle riders were having a high-speed racing in the area, crashed into a group of bystanders who were watching at the roadside, resulting in the vlogger’s death and injuries to four other individuals,” PNP-HPG Spokesperson Lt. Dhame Malang told reporters Tuesday.
The incident prompted HPG Director Brigadier General Eleazar Matta to send additional 10 to 15 police officers from Cavite, Laguna and Quezon along the 115-kilometer road to prevent future similar cases, Malang said.
Marilaque Highway was previously guarded by only 17 police officers from the Rizal Highway Patrol Team (HPT).
“We will make our presence felt all day and all night, especially in places where most people frequent and flock to, where many drive along, particularly in Palo-Alto, here in Devil’s Curve,” Malang said. “We assure the public that HPTs will monitor the area on Saturdays and Sundays,” he added.
The viral crash was the 13th incident along the Marilaque Highway recorded by the Rizal HPT from January 1 to 28, according to data from the HPG. A total of 158 incidents were recorded in 2024, 110 of which took place in the Palo-Alto and Mount Masungi area.
Malang noted that the HPG was still investigating the recent fatal crash, stressing that overspeeding is highly prohibited under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
A group called Motorcycle Rights Organization has been alerting authorities as far back as 2017 on the reckless racing activities along the Marilaque Highway.