Iloilo cops on tight watch against ‘road nuisances’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Both the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) are keeping an eye on vehicles that are deemed as road nuisance.

The cops will target motorcycles that use exhaust systems emitting excessive sound and those joining drag races.

Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Iloilo City police chief, said they have been receiving persistent complaints against the noise from motorcycles using modified mufflers or tambutso.

In fact, the ICPO already issued citation tickets to 50 persons for the said violation since May 26.

The ICPO and the Iloilo City Public Safety and Transport Management Office (PSTMO) caught these violators in their operations at Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz; Barangay Bitoon and Tacas in Jaro; and Barangay Sooc, Arevalo.

The basis for the apprehension is an Iloilo City ordinance banning the use of noisy modified mufflers.

Last June 13, six drivers were given citation tickets in Oton, Iloilo after their motorcycles were installed with modified mufflers.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said other local police stations in the province are acting on complaints against motorcycles with modified mufflers.

Some towns in Iloilo also passed ordinances that prohibit the installation of modified mufflers.

Two years ago, the Land Transportation Office also issued a memorandum orders to its field offices to apprehend motorcycles with noisy exhaust systems.

Under existing LTO regulations, motorcycles with exhaust pipes that exceed the 115-decibel noise level can be apprehended.

LTO personnel were told to confiscate the license plates of violators.

The penalty for violating the LTO provision on unauthorized/improper use of accessories, devices, and equipment and parts is P5,000.

Aside from modified mufflers, the ICPO and IPPO are also on the lookout against drag racing.

Drag racing of motor vehicle/motorcycle is not illegal when sanctioned, especially when it is conducted within a controlled and regulated environment, and adheres to safety standards.

But the race becomes illegal if it is held in public streets, highways and other thoroughfares without permits and without regard to the safety of motorists, spectators and innocent third parties.

Drag racers could be penalized under Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as their acts are considered as overspeeding or reckless driving.

Garbanzos said he has been receiving reports and videos of alleged drag racing activities in the city.

Concerned citizens allegedly sent these reports through ICPO’s Facebook Messenger and Viber accounts.

Others are calling the police stations or forwarding the reports to the office of Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Usually, these races happen at the circumferential road between Oton town in Iloilo province and Mandurriao district in Iloilo City.

There were also reports of drag races at the radial road in Jaro district.

“But it’s hard to catch the persons involved in this activity because they could easily leave the area once they are tipped off,” Garbanzos said.

Gorero, on the other hand, said that police are also on the lookout for “drag racers” at the boundaries of Iloilo City and province.

There were also drag racing activities reported in northern Iloilo towns.

Gorero said going after these road nuisances should be a shared responsibility of the community, the local government, and the LTO.