The police director of Region 12 rejected observations that there’s an increase in the number of riding-in-tandem killings.
Philippine National Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo C. Morales has said that the crime rate in Region 12 even decreased. Morales said that, out of 83 incidents, the PNP solved 66 cases.
He added that the PNP’s efficiency rating achieved from October 11 last year to May 14 this year has hit 64 percent. He attributed this to the intensified conduct of random checkpoints and strengthened intelligence information gathering across Region 12 against motorcycle-riding criminals.
“Killing incidents happen along streets and highways, and police response must be outright,” Morales was quoted in a statement as saying. “How can law enforcers prevent a crime if they are too relaxed on their post?”
The local government General Santos City is expected to issue an ordinance banning the use of helmet to eliminate the number of riding-in-tandem killings. Region 12 is now ranked fourth on the list with the highest number of riding-in-tandem killings, according to local government data.