In response to the recent ambush on Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo Tan, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia called on the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to strictly implement the anti-riding-in-tandem ordinance. The policy was passed earlier this year and regulated when a motorcycle was permitted to carry more than one individual.

In a radio interview yesterday, Leonardia condemned the attack and said such encounters should not happen in Bacolod CIty.

The mayor said city police should “try their best” in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.

The said ordinance prohibits two people from riding a motorcycle between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless it is determined there is an emergency or other legitimate reason.

Apprehended operators are fined P300, while the backrider is fined P200.

Earlier this year, the Philippine National Police enacted their ‘Oplan Clean Rider’ campaign, which sought to crackdown on criminal activity committed by motorcyclists, particularly riding-in-tandem suspects.

Through ‘Oplan Clean Rider,’ motorcyclists are asked to register their vehicle with the local police. Once registered and declared a “clean rider,” an indicating sticker will be attached to their motorcycle and driver’s license.

Last Friday, Tan and his wife were ambushed at Purok 12A in the city’s Barangay Alangilan by three still-unidentified gunmen.

BCPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, said the gunmen immediately boarded a small white wagon following the incident and sped off towards an undetermined direction.

The city official and his wife sustained minor wounds, all of which were attributed to broken glass caused by bullets striking the vehicle’s windshield.

A total 24 empty shells from a 5.56 caliber firearms and seven empty .45 caliber shells were recovered from the crime scene./DGB, WDJ