Motorcycle curfew plan shelved
LINGAYEN–The proposal to impose curfew hours on motorcycles has been shelved.
The proponents of the ordinance setting an 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. curfew on motorcycle riders have withdrawn their proposal following strong opposition from various sectors and an assurance from the police that it is unnecessary as the province enjoys peace and order.
After a public hearing held Friday, Sixth district Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. and Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario decided to abandon their proposal saying the arguments of those opposed to it are valid.
“After listening and reconsidering the sentiments of our resource speakers who will be affected by this curfew ordinance, I am happy that we have resolved this problem,” Bince said.
The proposal was made by Bince and Rosario following reports of an alarming increase in drive-by shootings usually perpetrated by riders riding tandem on board motorcycles.
Alex Sison, president of the Pangasinan Bikers Federation, argued the proposed ordinance is selective and discriminatory to motorcycle users and that criminality itself does not impose its own time.
“It strikes anytime of the day it wants. Based on our experience in our respective communities, the most effective way of eradicating criminalities is the heightened and intensified campaign by our law enforcers and with the active participation of our local constituents,” Sison said, reading from the group’s position paper.
Bince and Rosario also considered the difficulty of implementing the proposed curfew.
Lawyer John del Rosario, legal counsel of the Land Transportation Office in the region, said during the public hearing that they would not be able to implement the proposal since their office is mandated to carry out laws on a national scope, not within a particular area alone.
Del Rosario also pointed out that the freedom of road users couldn’t just be simply curtailed.
He also said that the provincial board has no power to revoke the driver’s license of offenders as penalty for violation of the planned ordinance since only the LTO holds that mandate.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Percival Barba, police provincial director, said there is no need to impose a curfew, as the peace and order situation in the province is “good and under control”.
Barba, cited statistical ratio of crimes involving motorcycles riders from January 1 to August 31 but admitted that the number is higher this year than the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights Leila De Lima, in a position paper she sent to the provincial board, the proposed imposition of a ban on the use of motorcycles on a designated period “may not be the most appropriate and feasible response to the problem.”
“It has failed to pass the test for its valid exercise and infringes on the right of persons to travel freely. The evil sought to be prevented may benefit the common welfare but there exists more apt means for its prevention,” De Lima added.
Board Member Angel Baniqued argued, “In a democratic setting, the individual has certain rights which the government can’t take away.”—LM#
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