Three motorcycle riders were cited for reckless driving after authorities caught them allegedly racing along Ouano Avenue, prompting Mandaue City to step up monitoring of motorcycle racing activities on public roads.
The three riders, all in their early 20s, were apprehended on Sept. 17 after the City Mayor’s Office-Safety Maintenance Area Response Team (CMO-SMART) conducted surveillance in the area following reports of motorcycle racing.
CMO-SMART team leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani said the team has been coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Traffic Enforcement and Management (TEAM) in monitoring motorcycle racing activities in the city.
Authorities observed the riders repeatedly traveling along the stretch between the S&R traffic light and the intersection near Bai Hotel before making a U-turn and returning toward the S&R area for another run.
The riders reportedly told authorities they were only having a “friendly” run and that no betting was involved. They also said they had previously raced in Cordova, where they were also apprehended for the activity.
Gobalani said the riders had complete documents, including their licenses, so their motorcycles were not impounded. The citations issued to them were also reported to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
He said motorcycle racing along Ouano Avenue was particularly concerning because the road is a national highway regularly used by other motorists, including flatbed and dump trucks at night.
The latest enforcement followed a reported motorcycle racing activity involving nearly 20 motorcycles along Cansaga Bridge in Barangay Paknaan on Sept. 10.
Gobalani said CMO-SMART will continue monitoring Ouano Avenue and other areas where similar activities are reported, in coordination with the PNP, TEAM and barangay officials.
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano signed an executive order on Sept. 15 formally tasking CMO-SMART with overseeing monitoring efforts and coordinating with concerned agencies.
Gobalani said he also raised the need for agencies such as the LTO to establish a clearer procedure for handling motorcycle racing incidents, particularly if similar activities continue to be reported in the city.
Photo by VCL
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