Once more, ban riding in tandem on motorbikes

Last Nov. 9, I wrote an appeal to President Aquino, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) chair Francis Tolentino, then CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines) president Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Representatives Edcel Lagman and Niel Tupas Jr., and Senators Gregorio Honasan and Francis Escudero.

My appeal was about banning riding in tandem on motorcycles for as long as criminals use this modus operandi to kill people and commit other crimes. This temporary measure, while violating the civil rights of people, would be instrumental in saving the lives of innocent people, including those who may oppose this proposal.

My appeal was published on Dec. 2, 2011, in the Letters section of the Inquirer. Since then, there have been spates of killings and other crimes committed by motorcycle-riding felons. The helpless citizens are in a quandary: Who do we turn to for relief? I am appealing to my fellow citizens to join me in asking all officials and functionaries in government to take drastic steps to solve this problem.

The prime duty of government, according to the Constitution, is to serve and protect the people. It also provides for the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, as well as the promotion of the general welfare, all of which are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

Fine words indeed, but in what direction are we headed?

—LEONCIO DE MESA,

University of the Philippines,

Diliman, Quezon City