ILOILO City – Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police director, wanted a “focused effort” against motorcycle-riding criminals operating in this city and in Bacolod City.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) formed Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operating (MASCO) teams to run after them.
“I want to strengthen these teams by providing support and proper training,” said Miranda.
But the MASCO teams should not just respond to crime incidents, he stressed.
They must also be proactive in enforcing Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code) and all traffic ordinances of local government units.
“This will prevent road-unworthy motor vehicles from being used in committing crimes such as robbery and murder, among others,” said Miranda.
The MASCO teams are also expected perform other police interventions such as OPLAN Bakal and OPLAN Sita – campaigns against loose firearms – because motorcycles are often used as getaway vehicles by criminals.
From January to November 2020, a total of 90 crimes were committed by motorcycle-riding suspects, data from the PRO-6 showed.
Of the 90 cases, 43 were murder, 20 were physical injuries, 15 were robbery cases, seven were theft cases, three were rape and two are motornapping./PN
