Riding-in-tandem criminals, you are being watched.
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police to report on robbery incidents involving riding-in-tandem perpetrators – following an increase in holdup cases with this mode of operation.
During his Talk to the People aired late Monday evening, Duterte told PNP chief Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos to submit a report “so we can look into this problem.”
This month, two students who were shooting Tiktok videos on a sidewalk in Caloocan City lost their mobile phones to motorcycle-riding thieves.
Earlier, Senator Richard Gordon criticized the Land Transportation Office over the non-implementation of Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which aims “to protect the public, and to have a full arsenal against criminals using motorcycles.”
“More people are still getting killed by criminals in riding-in-tandem incidents. Impunity, not accountability, reigns,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP reminded the public to protect themselves from possible crimes and road accidents as they celebrate the New Year.
At the Laging Handa public briefing, Carlos said those who leave their homes for a vacation should not update their social media accounts in real-time.
“We should not report real-time, where you will travel and that you will leave your house,” said Carlos.
He also advised travelers not to bring many personal belongings like jewelry and cash as it might also attract robbers.
Due to the easing of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlos advised merrymakers and drivers to control their intake of liquor during Yuletide celebration to avoid road accidents.