Riding-in-tandem suspects killed more people last year than COVID-19 —Gordon

Riding-in-tandem suspects have killed more people last year than the COVID-19 in the Philippines today, according to Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday as he pressed for the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law.

"I believe it killed 1,234 last year. COVID has killed so far a little over 700 this year," Gordon, said during a privilege speech at the hybrid plenary session.

He expressed dismay that the agencies—the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office—who were supposed to be at the helm in stopping these
crimes, were allegedly not exerting enough effort.

"How many people have been put in jails? Hardly any. Did we see the PNP doing its job? It is not doing its job when it comes to riding-in-tandem, absolutely not. And LTO is not doing its job," Gordon said.

"I do not want to pick a fight with anybody, I just wanna say if you can't do it, let somebody else do it. Step aside. If you're in the way of doing things, step aside. Let's stop the killings," he added.

Gordon reiterated his call for the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law which was enacted in March 2019.

The LTO has yet to release implementing rules and regulations on requiring bigger license plates for motorcycles.

The measure previously drew opposition from several motorcycle groups in the country as they claimed that bigger license plates would compromise road safety for both the riders and pedestrians. —LDF, GMA News