1 dead, 12 hurt in motorcycle endurance challenge in Mindanao

One participant of a motorcycle endurance challenge was killed and 12 others were injured in several accidents in several parts of Mindanao. 

According to Mariz Umali’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, among those hurt were minors who were just watching the BOSS Ironman Endurance Challenge, which is now being investigated by the Land Transportation Office. 

In Digos, Davao del Sur, CCTV footage showed a tricycle hit from behind by a speeding motorcycle. 

Meanwhile in Talakag, Bukidnon, a delivery rider fell to the ground along with his flowers after he was hit by a participant. The rider suffered a fracture on his right foot. 

The LTO also recorded race-related accidents in Compostela, Davao de Oro; Capiton, Maguindanao del Norte; Kawit, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur; Kabacan, North Cotabato; and Kibawe, Bukidnon. 

In Picong, Lanao del Sur, a motorcycle went underneath a bus. 

The LTO said around 1,000 individuals joined the BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Endurance Challenge held this January 31 to February 1 in Mindanao.

In this year’s event, every participating rider was required to traverse a distance of 1,288 kilometers starting from General Santos City and returning to the same city.

Included in the route are parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The lone recorded fatality, a rider, was reported in Kibawe, Bukidnon. 

“They committed a massive amount of traffic violations. Most of them were purely reckless, running through traffic lights. That was happening day and night, and we have captured videos where they were just crossing straight through without stopping. Also, they were overtaking on double yellow lanes; they did many things like that,” said LTO chief Markus Lacanilao. 

In one footage,  motorcycle riders were recklessly violating the stop light even though it is clearly already showed it was red.

“What I saw, ma'am, was them chasing after each other, even though it wasn't supposed to be a race, ma'am. The marshals were there to guide them, ma'am. But they disregarded, ma'am, the instructions or the hand signals of the marshals to slow down,” one challenge participant said. 

The LTO said the event organizers did not coordinate with them. Hence, the LTO has summoned the organizers of BOSS Ironman Challenge to attend a hearing on Friday. 

The agency also issued show cause orders to the participants of the challenge in connection with the accidents. 

LTO also reached out to the Department of Transportation and the Congress to look into the incident.

“We are looking into legal procedures on how we can make them face the consequences [of their actions],” said Lacanilao. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS), which organized the event. 

But in a Facebook post before the event, BOSS reminded participants to follow the orders for everyone’s safety.

However, this is not the first time fatalities occurred in the same event. In 2024, two died during the BOSS Ironman Challenge.   

“This should not be done. Because it causes such a great deal of trouble, so many people are dying, and our fellow citizens who become victims are truly pitiful. Besides, there is no excuse for [compromising] road safety. What is being done here is a blatant disrespect for our traffic laws,” said Lacanilao. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News