Bataan riders hold a protest action to seek an amendment on the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, particularly on the double plates, at the Flaming Sword monument in Pilar, Bataan on Sunday. (Photo by Ernie Esconde)
PILAR, Bataan -- Motorcycle riders from this province protested on Sunday the provision of Republic Act 11235 or Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, specifically on the double plates that they claim will pose hazard to riders and other motorists.
Honking horns, the riders traversed the MacArthur Highway from northern and southern Bataan, to the Flaming Sword Monument in this town.
In a historical marker that pays tribute to the bravery of Filipino soldiers during World War II, the riders shouted “No to Doble Plaka (no to double plates)!”
Nikk Roden Valencia, president of Bataan Motorcycle Riders Federation, said riders joined forces to seek an amendment to the law, especially on the double plate provision, in as much as it was already approved by President Rodrigo Duerte.
“Disappointed kami sa pagkakapasa ng batas na ito pero ganoon pa man nirerespeto namin ang ginawang approval ng Presidente. Nandito kami upang i-request na maamiyendahan ito (We are disappointed with the passage of this law, but, nevertheless, we respect the approval made by the President. We are here to request for an amendment),” he said.
Valencia said the double metal plate measuring about 250 millimeters by 220 mm is a safety hazard and a possible cause for accidents.
“Ito ay sadyang malaki na metal plates. Kapag ito ay nasa harapan ng motor at lumipad, asahan ninyo na may tatamaan (These are indeed big metal plates. These are placed in front of a motor and when they fly out, expect that they could hit someone),” he said, adding that the present plate was already okay for them.
“Walang sino mang kriminal ang gagamit ng totoong plaka at wala ring kriminal ang gagamit ng motor na may sariling pagkakakilanlan niya (No criminal will use a true plate or will use a motor with his own identity),” Valencia said, on the claim that the new plates will be crime-deterrent.
He said their federation is composed of about 1,500 riders from the Bataan Motorcycle Riders Association and Bataan United Riders. (PNA)
