PNP eyes new strategy vs riding-in-tandem criminals

MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to implement a plan to crack down on motorcycle-riding criminals after the May 14 village polls.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde

"Meron na kaming pinaplano dyan to address itong riding-in-tandem besides sa pinaigting natin na Oplan Sita and checkpoint operations, (We have plans to address these riding-in-tandem incidents besides expanding Oplan Sita and checkpoint operations)," PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing during the turn-over ceremony for Police Regional Office 4-A in Laguna Tuesday.


"We will be coming up probably after the election we will be launching a new project that will (double time) or that could help address (the) riding-in-tandem incidents," he added but declined to give details.

Albayalde noted that heightened checkpoint activities for motorcyclists and increase police visibility have drastically lessened the incidents of killings by riding-in-tandem gunmen.

"Inaamin natin na meron pa ring incidents although mga incidents natin bumaba na pero meron pa rin nakakasingit.  More than 50 percent bumaba na tayo (We admit there are still incidents, but these have been reduced by more than 60 percent) because of our strengthened police visibility, Oplan Sita, and checkpoint operations," Albayalde added.

Police special reaction units in motorcycles were also deployed to thwart riding-in-tandem criminals. [Benjamin Pulta, PNA]