PNP chief: No discrimination for motorcycle riders without sticker

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde. PHOTO by Gabriel Pabico Lalu/INQUIRER.net

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director Oscar Albayalde has assured the public that motorcycle riders who would not apply for a Clean Rider sticker will not be discriminated at checkpoints.

In an ambush interview after the launch of the Clean Rider campaign plan on Wednesday at the Quirino Grandstand, the PNP chief said riders without stickers are “not necessarily” criminals, although it would be better to have one.

“[This is] voluntary in nature, wala pong sapilitan ito (We are not forcing this on anyone),” he explained.

READ: PNP launches ‘Clean Rider’ campaign to fight crime

However, Albayalde said this will give them an idea why a rider would not want to register with the police.

“Pwede kasi nating ma-segregate kung sino ‘yong meron na at kung sino ‘yong wala pa, so mapapabilis din ‘yong ating pag-verify (We can segregate those who have stickers and those who don’t, so verification would be faster),” he added.

Some individuals have expressed concerns that Clean Rider initiative is like implementing a national ID system.

Albayalde agreed that the stickers are indeed like a national ID, but it is for the protection of riders, especially law abiding citizens.

Among its advantages is that it can facilitate checkpoint processing. However, even with stickers, riders would still have to go through checkpoints, albeit quicker.

Police officers will  use a smart phone application to tag the stickers and information about the rider and the motorcycle will be available for cross-matching.

He said this measure does not mean that all motorcycle riders are considered crime suspects.

“Hindi naman natin sinasabi na naka-motorsiklo lang ‘yong ano (We are not saying that all motorcycle riders are suspects), but majority of the crimes committed are perpetrated by MRS,” he added.

The PNP head, who is also a motorcycle enthusiast, also reminded policemen who own and use motorcycles that they are not exempt from the ‘Clean Rider’ stickers drive.

“Kasama ang pulis dyan, even my motorcycle na ginagamit hindi excused d’yan,” he said.“Ipapa-sticker lahat ‘yan, even the policemen dahil meron din, hindi naman natin pwedeng i-pagkaila ‘yan na ‘yong mga ibang pulis, meron din silang ginagamit ‘yong mga recovered motorcycles,” he added.

(The police are included in this campaign. Even the motorcycle I am using is not exempted. No one is excused. Everybody needs to apply for a sticker. We can’t deny that some policemen use recovered motorcycles). /ee