PNP chief suggests engineering solutions to curb Marilaque mishaps

 PNP chief: Engineering solutions to curb Marilaque mishaps

File photo shows motorcycle riders along Marilaque Highway in Baras, Rizal.  (Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil proposed engineering solutions to deter motorists from pulling off stunts along the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway

The suggestion came after a motovlogger attempted a “Superman” stunt along the highway and crashed into a group of onlookers, killing him and injuring four bystanders.

“What we need is engineering. We have to put more signs indicating what is banned and more barriers. We have to put that because if we put law enforcement, that’s only temporary,” Marbil told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of a PNP Day event at Camp Crame on Thursday.

“Of course, we’re strict. If you’re caught, we have to impound and suspend your license. The deterrent there is to put in more engineering,” Marbil, who also served as PNP Highway Patrol Group director, added.

After the incident, HPG Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta ordered the deployment of additional personnel from the highway patrol teams of Laguna, Cavite and Quezon to increase the unit’s presence along the 115 kilometer-long road.

“We need the local government and the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] so that we’d be assisted there on that stretch,” Marbil explained.

For its part, the Land Transportation Office issued a show-cause order to the surviving driver to explain the incident or risk losing his license.

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