Ban ‘tandem-riding’ on motorcycles

Enough is enough! Something must be done to stop the killings done by criminals riding in tandem on motorcycles. Every day and every time that I read the newspapers or turn on my TV set, I come across news stories about “tandem-riders” killing people with impunity. So far, the government, particularly our law enforcement agencies, has not come up with an idea to stamp out this real threat to public order.

I strongly suggest that riding in tandem on motorcycles be banned for as long as criminals use this modus operandi to kill people. Many will complain against this measure as a violation of their civil rights, etc., etc., but this measure to curb crime might be instrumental in saving their own lives. An inconvenience can be endured, but a dead person can never be restored to life. The sad truth is that criminals riding in tandem have openly challenged the rule of law in our country and pose a threat to our lives. We cannot allow them to rule the streets at the expense of our, or that of society’s, own sense of security.

Our legislators, the administrators of our criminal justice system, our government, our political, religious, educational and civic leaders should consider this remedy for the good of the majority. One day, when the threat posed by tandem-riding criminals shall have been effectively eliminated, the practice of riding in tandem on motorcycles may be allowed.

—LEONCIO DE MESA,

University of the Philippines,

Diliman, Quezon City