Riders tapped as ‘force multiplier’ vs. crimes in ARMM

CAMP S. K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao – Police authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has enlisted the help of motorcycle riders to act as “police force multiplier,” a police official said on Sunday.

Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO-ARMM), on Monday said they hope the volunteers can help the police prevent crimes across the region.

Currently, Mijares pointed out that only village watchmen or barangay tanods serve as police force multipliers across the region.

On Sunday, Mijares led the launching of the “PNP Campaign Plan Clean Rider” at the PRO ARMM grandstand here. The force multiplier is composed of responsible owners of motorcycles within the areas of the region who passed the screening and validation as “clean rider” by PRO-ARMM.

During the launching, guests, who are also motorcycle enthusiasts, included Lt. Colonel Roberto Go, the commander of 37th Infantry Battalion, Mayor Radzak Tomawis of Barira town, Mayor Rauf Mastura of Sultan Mastura, Municipal Administrator Mala Lidasan of Matanog and Municipal Administrator Usman Ibay III of Parang, all in Maguindanao.

Mijares said the campaign aims to train riders to help authorities prevent crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding gunmen. The “clean rider stickers” will also serve as additional identification when passing PNP checkpoint operation, he added.

After the launching, Mijares encouraged the motorcycle riders to visit the nearest police stations and submit copies of their motorcycles documents, driver’s license and government-issued IDs for registration, identification, and issuance of clean rider sticker.

ARMM is composed of the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)