- Police close in on remaining SUV drivers in viral video
A 21-YEAR-OLD man turned himself in on Tuesday morning, March 19, after a video went viral showing a group of motorists blatantly violating traffic signs at the Davao City Coastal Road in Bago Aplaya.
Additionally, on the same day, a 19-year-old surrendered to the Bajada police after being involved in a drag race along J.P. Laurel Avenue around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
During an interview on Wednesday, Major Dexter Domingo, the head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, revealed they identified one SUV driver as the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman in Malita, Davao Occidental.
According to the Baliok Police Station commander, the SK chairman was expected to surrender on Wednesday. However, as of press time, the police haven’t heard from the erring motorist as yet.
Domingo also mentioned that based on the video footage, around five vehicles were involved in the incident.
On Tuesday at approximately 1 pm, alias Jay, a 21-year-old working student and resident of Country Homes, Cabantian, surrendered to the police station. He was the driver and owner of a black Mitsubishi Montero seen in the video.
Additionally, the traffic unit chief already sent a letter requesting the Land Transportation Office to contact the owner of the two SUVs.
Domingo said it clearly shows that the group of individuals violated the PD 96- “Declaring Unlawful the Use or Attachment of Sirens, Bells, Horns, Whistles Or Similar Gadgets That Emit Exceptionally Loud Or Startling Sounds, Including Dome lights And Other Signaling Or Flashing Devices On Motor Vehicles And Providing Certain Exceptions Therefor” and the provision under RA 4136-Disregarding Traffic Signs, that can be considered as Reckless Driving placing the safety of other drivers and passengers in danger.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has announced they will file a case to hold the motorists accountable.
The violation includes the illegal attachment of blinkers and horns on vehicles, as well as driving without regard for traffic laws. The incident was recorded and posted on social media by the Davao Idiot Riders group.
With this, DCPO spokesperson Capt. Hazel Tuazon said the surrender only highlighted the critical role of the community in helping the police perform their job.
“Nonetheless, under the leadership of the undersigned, we will continue to prevent such act from happening within our area of responsibility and to strictly implement and enforce traffic laws and other provisions stipulated thereat,” she said.
Drag racing
On March 20, Jaymar Cabrillos, 19, a resident of Jereza Subdivision in Bajada, issued a formal apology to Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
Cabrillos admitted to racing with another Yamaha rider he met at a Shell gas station. He decided to surrender after the incident went viral on social media and the police started looking for him.
For now, he is under the custody of the Bajada Police Station for the filing of an appropriate case for the violation of Republic Act 4136 for reckless driving and a possible case for alarm and scandal and unjust vexation, according to Major Antonio Luy, commander of Bajada police station.
“ We are strictly prohibiting drag racing in public areas as these are the most common reasons for accidents,” he said.
