Residents complain vs illegal motorcycle races in Iloilo City 

Dangerous races held by reckless motorcycle riders along Iloilo City’s diversion road is sparking outrage from residents of a barangay in the district of Jaro.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Kim Salinas in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the races usually occur at night.

“Even we are on alert. It’s terrifying for us on the highway, because we’re constantly looking out for people trying to use the pedestrian lane. We cannot just simply stop (the motorcycles),” said Genoveva Cabulong, the Barangay Captain of Dungon A, in Ilonggo.

Reports of the dangerous drag races have already reached the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO).

“We have zero tolerance for that. And we are summoning the night-shift supervisors today. We will also deploy a 24/7 enforcement and clearing team,” said Iloilo City TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos.

Aside from the illegal races, also caught on camera was the speeding of the motorists along the diversion road. Speedometer readings reveal the motorcycles reached speeds of nearly 160 kilometers per hour, the report said.

This has prompted Land Transportation Office Region 6 to appeal to the public for help in identifying these riders.

“They hold these races whenever the light hasn't turned green yet at the Taft North intersection. Because that light takes a long time—it’s 150 seconds. So that's likely the window they are using,” said LTO Region 6 director Gaudioso Geduspan II.

Meanwhile, several barangays along the racing route have expressed their readiness to assist authorities.

“If ever there are races passing through us, we immediately report them to the police,” said Barangay Cuartero captain Ronald Gallenero. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News