Crimes on two wheels up–PNP

MANILA, Philippines—Street crimes committed by motorcycle-riding suspects have gone up, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP last year recorded 1,700 crime incidents committed by riding-in-tandem suspects on 2,089 citizens on the streets.

This was higher than the 1,565 incidents recorded in 2010 against 1,819 victims.

Central Luzon (Region III), Central Visayas (Region VII) and the National Capital Region (NCR) posted the highest number of riding-in-tandem crime incidents among the regions in the past two years, according to the PNP.

Central Luzon recorded 791 incidents in 2011, up from 566 the previous year. Central Visayas had 452 incidents, up from 397 in 2010.

Meanwhile, the NCR posted 374 incidents in 2011, down from 525 the previous year.

More aggressive

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

He said these motorcyclists were notorious serial offenders since arrested suspects were found to be involved in strings of robbery, car theft, and even murder cases.

“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 the police operations should be complemented by public vigilance and community support.

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

Solution

The PNP said 158 cases were filed in court while 177 others were solved with the arrests.

Bartolome said the capture of these suspects usually led to the solution of other criminal cases since the suspects were most likely involved in other criminal activities.

The suspects were also usually liable for illegal firearms possession and theft of the motorcycles they were riding.

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

He attributed the significant decrease in riding-in-tandem crimes to the Motorized Anti-Streetcrime Operatives program of the National Capital Region Police Office.