PNP implements law vs. ‘riding-in-tandem’ in Nueva Vizcaya

By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo

Saturday 3rd of November 2012

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, November 3(PIA) -- The Philippine National Police(PNP) yesterday has started to implement an ordinance to prevent the commission of crimes by suspected riding-in-tandem’ criminals.

Police senior Supt. Valfrie Tabian, police provincial director said they have already started the establishment of checkpoints for the implementation of the OPLAN Verification of Identity and Sticker Authenticity(VISA) or the VISA Ordinance to ensure the safety of Novo Vizcayanos from the threats of hired assassins.

Through the ordinance, motorcycle owners and operators are required to register their units to the nearest police stations and be marked with corresponding stickers.

“Since its launching on September 7, there are already 6,300 VISA stickers distributed while 7,977 motorcycles were already registered,” Tabian said.

The funding on the stickers and other requirements of the ordinance was funded through the P.3 million assistance from the provincial government, he added.

Tabian also advised motorcycle owners and operators who were not yet given with stickers to carry their registration documents and show them with the police authorities in checkpoints.

“It is good that the initial funding of this law was given by the provincial government. In other provinces, motorcycle owners and operators will shoulder the corresponding expenses,” he explained.

With the OPLAN VISA in place, the police chief expects a reduction of crime incidents in the province especially those perpetrated by riding-in-tandem suspects.

Tabian also called on the public to be vigilant in their communities inorder to prevent the commission of crimes and report them immediately to the police stations.

High profile crime incidents committed by riding-in-tandem suspects in the province include the murder of former Sangguniang Kabataan(SK) federation president Jommel Cacal, human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat, retired policeman Isabelo Carpio, barangay captain Ching Carillo and attempted murder against lawyer Virgil Castro.(BME/PIA 2 – Nueva Vizcaya)