The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) warned those involved in illegal drag racing that they could be arrested and penalized for violating the city ordinance and national laws prohibiting such acts.

Captain Jonito Pastrana, BCPO public information officer, said they have received information on three incidents of illegal drag racing as of yesterday.

These took place between Barangays Cabug and Mansilingan along the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway and along the area of the Abada-Escay relocation site going to Fortune Town.

“An incident was posted live, that’s why we captured the information. Our city director [Colonel Joeresty Coronica] advised us to conduct validation and monitoring,” he said in an interview.

Citing pertinent laws, Pastrana said the BCPO would oppose an attempt by any group to seek a permit to hold a drag racing event in the city.

In Bacolod, City Ordinance 08-15-742 strictly prohibits and penalizes illegal drag racing within its jurisdiction. Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, has a provision against reckless driving caused by illegal drag race, while Batas Pambansa 33 prohibits and penalizes speed contests and rallies using motor vehicles, including drag racing.

“We just want them to know that there are existing laws prohibiting such activity, a drag race. It’s very dangerous; it can cause injury to people and damage to property. If we are to arrest them, we are doing it to enforce the law,” Pastrana said.

In an advisory, the BCPO encouraged the public to report any illegal drag racing incident to the authorities to help maintain road safety and protect people from the risks associated with such a dangerous activity. (PNA)