No more covered faces in Mandaue
Motorcycle riders and tricycle drivers in Mandaue City who wear bonnets, face masks, or anything that covers the face will be arrested starting tomorrow, Monday.
The city believes that the move, despite generating mixed reactions from the public, particularly on social media, will help solve, if not prevent crimes, as several crimes committed in the past were carried out by suspects with faces covered.
"This is something people are upset about. We know that some people are mad about it, especially in social media, but at the same token, we hope that people understand that if ever we need to use it, that means that the worst has happened for somebody. That means nga naay gipatay, naay na-hold-up, naay na-rape," said Mayor Luigi Quisumbing.
"Unfortunately, it's one of those things that nobody likes until dunay mahitabo and all of a sudden, mangutana tanan nganung wala'y gibuhat ang gobyerno. Para namo, it's something that we have to do to keep the people safe," he added.
The new rule is being enforced through an ordinance approved last November 29, 2017. Last week, the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) started disseminating information about it among those that may be affected.
Motorists in Mandaue can wear half-faced and fullfaced helmets, which are also allowed by national law, but those whose helmets have tinted visors are required to put the visors up.
The point, the city says, is that surveillance cameras can capture the motorists’ faces.
Those who will violate the new ordinance will be fined P5,000, on top of the arrest.
Recent incidents involving motorcycle-riding assailants include the shooting of Mantuyong Barangay Captain Antonio Maquilan, the killing of a Korean national in A.S. Fortuna, and the death of a former police officer in Barangay Canduman.
Quisumbing also cited a robbery incident in Barangay Basak wherein the suspect wore a face mask. Unfortunately, the suspect’s mask fell off, exposing his face to the surveillance camera.
"The fact that we were able to clearly capture the face of the perpetrator, the attacker, on video means that we will likely be able to bring the person to justice much faster," the mayor said.
Arresting those who violate the new ordinance is as far as the city will go, Quisumbing said, assuring that the city will not resort to profiling suspicious looking individuals on motorcycles.
"That may infringe man gud some liberties and some rights nga we will stop them just because we suspect them of possibly committing or will commit a crime. Para nako, that is a slippery slope when it comes to the rights of individuals," Quisumbing said.