Holidays usher in ‘Blue Riders’

Some members of the “Blue Rider” team prepare to ride their motorcycles after their team’s launch. —DELFIN T. MALLARI

LUCENA CITY—Commuters and motorists rushing home to Quezon province for the holidays would soon become familiar with policemen on motorcycles patrolling the province’s roads mainly to counter threats from crime groups.

At least 46 of these policemen, who had been fully trained, had been deployed by the provincial police to main roads to serve as deterrents to crimes.

Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon provincial police chief, presented the “Blue Riders” during a launching ceremony in Camp Nakar in Lucena City on Thursday.

He said the cops, aboard 200cc motorcycles, have been tasked with protecting travelers along the Maharlika Highway and other major roads in the province.

The launching ceremony coincided with the start of the rush of motorists bound for Quezon for the holidays.

The policemen would keep watch on motorists along the 150-kilometer Maharlika Highway, which runs from the Quezon-Laguna boundary in Tiaong town to the Quezon-Bicol boundary in Calauag town.

The Blue Riders’ mission is to immediately respond to crimes, keep roads free from criminal elements, help motorists in distress and intercept contraband, particularly drugs.

Police said the 1,066-km long coastline of the province could be used to smuggle drugs as had been reported in the past.

Members of Blue Riders, who graduated from a two-week motorcycle-riding course, are fully armed and equipped with modern communications gadgets.

Quezon Gov. David Suarez, guest of honor during the launching ceremony, promised the full support of the provincial government for the Blue Riders.

Armamento said members of Blue Riders had been trained to shoot their guns while driving their motorcycles.

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Some members of the “Blue Rider” team prepare to ride their motorcycles after their team’s launch. —DELFIN T. MALLARI