Crimes by felons on motorcycles up nationwide

MANILA, Philippines—Crimes committed by men riding tandem on motorcycles  have gone up, but slowed down in Metro Manila last year, according to statistics released by the Philippine National Police on Saturday.

The PNP recorded 1,700 such crimes  in 2011 with 2,089 individuals counted as victims. The numbers were higher than the 1,565 crimes and 1,819 victims recorded in 2010.

Central Luzon (Region III), Central Visayas (Region VII) and the National Capital Region posted the highest number of crimes committed by men on motorcycles during the past two years.

Central Luzon had 791 incidents in 2011, up from 566 the previous year, while Central Visayas had 452, up from 397.

Metro Manila or the National Capital Region  had 374 incidents  in  2011, down from 525 in 2010.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said he has ordered “more aggressive interdiction operations” against motorcycle-riding criminals.

He said these criminals were notorious serial offenders since arrested suspects were found to be involved in a string of cases of either robbery, carjacking and even murder.

“Criminal elements have taken advantage of the high-speed mobility provided by motorcycles and have used these efficient vehicles as instruments of crime,” Bartolome said.

He said police operations should be complemented by public vigilance and community support.

Despite the increase in crimes committed by motorcycle-riding felons,  the PNP reported that 298 suspects were captured last year.

The PNP said 158 cases were filed in court.

Bartolome said the capture of suspects usually leads to the solution of other criminal cases since the suspects are most likely involved in other criminal activities.

The suspects are also usually liable for illegal firearms possession and theft of the motorcycles used in their activities.

“For every riding in tandem criminal suspects neutralized, several crimes are solved,” Bartolome said.

He attributed the significant decrease in such crimes in the Manila area to the Motorized Anti-Sreetcrime Operatives program of the National Capital Region Police Office, and encouraged other police regional commands to learn from that program.