Illegal drag race alarms locals along Marcos Highway

Illegal drag racers disturbed and alarmed residents along the Marcos Highway in Pasig City.

Police said a resident on Thursday complained of the illegal car races, which were usually held during the wee hours.

A video of the incident showed two vehicles racing against each other along the highway. Two motorcycles assisted them and cleared the road.

“At about 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. bale tumawag galing sa 9-11. Allegedly, meron daw drag racing sa Marcos Highway. Immediately ang pulis natin nag responde sa area,” said Pasig City sub-station 8  commander Police Captain Danio Latoja in Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

(At about 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., we received a  9-11 call that alleged there was a drag race along the Marcos Highway. We  responded immediately.)

“Nung time na andun na 'yung tropa, nagtakbuhan siguro natakot yun may dalawang motor na naiwan," Latoja added.

(When we got there, the drivers drove off.)

Barangay personnel said they had seen the illegal racers but they were not deputized to issue tickets for traffic violations.

“Siguro binabantayan din ang mobile natin every time na iikot nagpupulasan din. Kapag nakalayo na doon naman sila mag aano dumadali ng drag racing,”  Lantoja said.

(They keep an eye out for our mobile patrols. When we pass by, they run off. Once we are gone, that's when they drag race.)

Two motorcycles were impounded after being abandoned by their owners.

One of the motorcyclists who tried to reclaim his impounded motorcycle said he was fined P4,400 for violating the city’s Anti-Drag Racing Ordinance. He and the other motorcyclist would face charges for reckless driving.

Meanwhile, cops are still identifying the drivers of the two cars involved in the drag race.

“Tatlong barangay po nasasakop namin pero hindi naman namin napapabayaan ang  Marcos Highway na yan kasi nga strategic place yan. Nandyan mga  establishments maraming tao,” said Lantoja.

(There are three barangays under our jurisdiction but we make sure to monitor Marcos Highway because that is a strategic area.)

“Nagba-backtracking pa kami makakuha tayo ng mas malapit lapit na CCTV sa area ng pinangyarihan,” he added.

(We will backtrack to identify the drivers.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News