- Woman arrested for disrupting Ironman 70.3 race in Davao
A 28-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 11, after she disrupted the IRONMAN 70.3 bike course, putting at risk her personal safety and the competing athletes.
The woman, identified only as “Kriszelle” by authorities, was driving a motorcycle against the flow of traffic while filming a video.
She entered the race route at the MacArthur Highway corner GTH in Barangay Toril Proper around 10:30 a.m. and continued toward Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Police attempted to stop her but she ignored their warnings and accelerated instead.
She was eventually apprehended with the assistance of other road security officers at the national highway corner crossing Aplaya de Oboza in Barangay Darong, Sta. Cruz.
Fortunatley, no race participants were injured during the incident.
Last year, an 18-year-old was rushed to the ICU after crossing the road and crashing into biker Ralph Bautista. The boy bypassed the security cordon to pick up a water bottle on the street.
Kriszelle is currently detained at the Toril Police Station and may face charges for violating Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and Disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such a person).
The DCPO deployed 235 personnel to secure the event along the national highway crossing several barangays in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
In an interview on Sunday afternoon, Major Neil Vistar, deputy commander of the Toril Police Station, explained the danger of the woman’s actions during the Ironman event:
“At that point, there were many cyclists on the course who could have been seriously injured. We handled the situation swiftly and arrested her to prevent a potential tragedy,” he said.
“The woman was driving her motorcycle against traffic from the McLeod intersection near the gas station, heading south. The leading cyclists were already making their U-turn, so it was extremely dangerous. Thankfully, no accidents occurred during her reckless counter-flowing,” he added.
Coast Guard ensures zero
sea incidents for IRONMAN
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) successfully ensured zero maritime incidents during the entire competition, marking a major accomplishment in safeguarding the event’s water-based activities.
“We deployed an extensive safety and security operation,” said CGDSEM spokesperson Lt. Commander Angel Tobias.
This included strategically positioned patrol boats, trained personnel, and efficient monitoring systems to ensure the safety of all participants and stakeholders.
The CGDSEM worked closely with various local government units, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to maintain a secure environment both on land and at sea.
“These collaborative efforts ensured that the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao was not only a world-class sporting event but also a model of maritime safety and security,” Tobias added.
Photo by PIO- DCPO
