Thousands of Riders Converged to Defend Rights

Riders clubs, organizations, alliances and federations converged in different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces led by the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) and Arangkada Riders Alliance to show its strength in opposing the proposal to require riders to wear vest with plate number and the banning of back-ride. The said activity is dubbed as “UNITY RIDE to DEFEND RIDER’S RIGHTS”.

The group assailed the various proposals laid by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) to eliminate crimes perpetrated by “Riding in Tandem”. Among the proposals are the requirement for all the riders to wear white helmets, compulsory registration of helmets to barangay and LGUs, wearing of vest with plate number and the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour for motorcycles. The group also assailed the recent pronouncement of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada that the city is open to the possibility of banning riding in tandem in Manila.

The riders started their assembly in Valenzuela (north contingent), C5 Taguig (South Contingent) and converged at the Eliptical Road in Quezon City to hold a MASS DIE IN to symbolize the death of rider’s rights if these proposals will become a law. After convergence, they held a motorcade to People Power Monument in EDSA to hod a program.

The Group said that these proposals only manifests their lack of deeper understanding and study why incidents of crimes have been escalating and it is very easy for them to propose such laws that in effect sacrifices the rights of millions of ordinary riders who’s main purpose is to use their motorcycles as a cheaper means of transportation in going to work.

“According to our constitution, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but these proposals they already prosecuted every rider without proving anything. They already put a limitation on him just because he decides to take his wife, child, uncle, auntie, friend or what not on a ride on his motorcycle.” Said Jobert Bolanos, MRO Chairperson.

“With all due respect to our policemen, the problem of criminality is NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY of the public. Albeit the public can help them, the burden, prosecution, and responsibility should not be passed on because their duty, as policemen is to ease the problem of crime. Binabayaran natin ang sahod nila pero tayo pa rin ba ang gagawa ng trabaho nila?” Bolanos added.

MRO will forward an alternative proposal and hopes that these will be taken into consideration, among the proposal are;
1. Fight fire with fire – Arm policemen and train them to use motorcycles and be on patrol 24/7.
2. Community Crime Watch Program – To help the police deter would be criminals, an information gateway shall be setup so that would be criminals don’t just watch out for police, they watch out for everybody who may be part of the program
3. More Police Visibility – We do not mind more PROPER AND LEGAL checkpoints. Everybody benefits from it as it keeps the criminals at bay.
4. Get all LGU’s to invest on CCTV for their respective areas – This will help in the solving and deterrence of crime.
5. Invest in advanced crime solving methods – Our police needs all the help they can get.

“Riders will never take this issue sitting down, we will assert our rights we will make them understand that we are not criminals there are only 1,700 crimes perpetrated by riding in tandem according to PNP records and we are in millions who live with dignity and ride our motorcycles legitimately, we will not give up our rights”. Bolanos concluded.

PRESS RELEASE
26 January 2014
Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO)
Arangkada Rider’s Alliance
Contact Person: Don Pangan – CP 09123738518

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