2 nabbed for drunk-driving in Davao City

DAVAO CITY – Friday nights will never be the same again for the two young Dabawenyos after spending the weekend inside the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) detention cell.

The male and female suspects, who are both 24 years old, were separately arrested on Friday night for driving their cars under the influence of liquor. They spent three nights in the DCPO detention cell for failure to immediately post the PHP20,000 bail.

The two were among those arrested by the police since the start of the campaign against "unsafe driving/riding from February 6 to 17.

Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum said a total of 28 people have been arrested for violation of Republic Act 10586, the law that forbids anyone from driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and similar substances.

Of the number, Tagum said 25 were driving or riding motorcycles, and three were drivers of four-wheel vehicles.

A total of 865 persons were also arrested for violation of the Helmet Law and 2,279 for violation Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Tagum reminded Dabawenyos that the city has 200 traffic enforcers who implement traffic laws, especially the campaign against drunk driving.

He had warned to relieve police station commanders if they fail to strictly implement the law in their respective area of operation.

DCPO has intensified its anti-drunk driving law after Mayor Sara Duterte asked the police to focus on the enforcement of the city's anti-drunk driving campaign in light of the increasing number of traffic accidents because the drivers were under the influence of liquor.

Under the law, drunk driving carries heavy penalties and hefty fines. Anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol faces a fine of PHP20,000 to PHP80,000 and face imprisonment for a minimum of three months; and PHP300,000 to PHP500,000 and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment for fatal accidents.

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has earlier voiced strong support for the local government's campaign against drunk driving. She even warned that anyone who met road accidents because they were driving drunk will be denied the city's financial assistance.

Mayor Sara also handed over 12 motorcycles to DCPO to further intensify its anti-drunk driving and other traffic law enforcement campaigns. (PNA)