SENATE deputy majority leader Joseph Victor Ejercito yesterday said the PNP should put up permanent checkpoints along the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway to prevent motorcycle riders from performing stunts and converting the highway into a racetrack.
Ejercito, a motorcycle rider himself, said there are too many deaths among motorcycle riders who take advantage of the racetrack features of Marilaque Highway to perform stunts, affecting innocent motorists, riders, and eager onlookers.
He said he used to ride with friends to Marilaque Highway but stopped for the last two years due to accidents.
Ejercito issued the call after two riders performing a “Superman” stunt figured in an accident last Sunday, which led to the death of one of them, damages to parked motorcycles, and injuries to spectators.
He added he had already called the attention of concerned local government and police officials way back, but authorities were not consistently present, enabling motorcycle riders to return to the area to test their riding skills.
He said the Marilaque Highway has been a go-to tourist attraction nowadays where businesses like coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels, among others, thrive but stand to lose customers who fear they might be involved in accidents.
“I haven’t gone to Marilaque in the last two years kasi nga po a lot of accidents have been happening. And actually, I voiced this out already before, nagsabi na ako sa PNP, sa Rizal (province) officials. Naglagay naman sila ng checkpoints, naglagay ng rumble strips sa mga areas na kailangan pero nagtuloy-tuloy pa rin. Dapat siguro gawin ng PNP na regular na nandoon talaga everyday (I haven’t gone to Marilaque in the last two years because a lot of accidents have been happening. I actually voiced this out to PNP and Rizal province officials. They have put up checkpoints and rumble strips in identified areas but hard-headed motorcycle riders continue once authorities are gone. It’s time for the PNP to be present there regularly),” he added.
Ejercito said permanent checkpoints or police stations along the highway should deter riders from performing stunts.
“Kapag may checkpoint kasi umaayos naman sila di ba? Hindi naman masyadong mga bata ‘yung gumagawa ng mga stunts, batang isip siguro (Riders observe road regulations once they see checkpoints. Those performing stunts are not so young, maybe they are just childish),” he said.
He said his group of motorcycle riders organized a ride to Marilaque this Sunday called #MakeMarilaqueSafeAgain to create public awareness of the need to ride safely on highways. The PNP, Land Transportation Office, and other concerned agencies will join the event.
“Hopefully, talagang mawawala na ‘yung mga nagkakarera, nagpe-perform ng stunts para maibalik natin ‘yung dati, sayang kasi eh. Marilaque is so beautiful (Hopefully, motorcycle racing and performing stunts will no longer be held because the beauty of Marilaque will be put to waste if we do not act),” he said.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa agreed with Ejercito, saying: “It’s about time that the Highway Patrol Group of the PNP tighten its grip along the stretch of Marilaque Highway with the support, of course, of the local police and the LGUs.”
Ejercito said there is no need to amend existing road safety laws since performing stunts and running beyond the speed limit on highways is prohibited.
He said the Rizal provincial government is now constructing a motorcycle race track where enthusiasts can let out their eagerness to perform stunts without innocent motorists ending up as casualties.