Finally some action on motorcycle crimes

On several occasions, this space has hosted a number of articles calling on government to do something about the increasing incidences of crimes committed by people riding on motorcycles. All of those entreaties have fallen on deaf ears.

Finally, somebody has recognized the problem and decided to do something. Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, alarmed by the escalating number of crimes done by people on motorcycles nationwide, has filed a bill to make police more aggressive in dealing with the scourge.

It is doubtful, however, if Castelo’s bill is the right approach to the problem. What the measure seeks to do is simply allocate an additional P100 million to the budget of the police so that it might become more aggressive in fighting crime by people on motorcycles.

What this space had in mind was something different, such as making it less easy for just about anyone to acquire a motorcycle. As it is now, a simple downpayment of about P2,000 allows even the most petty of criminals to ride away on a motorcycle.

Not only is a motorcycle readily available for peanuts, it is no skin off the backs of those who buy motorcycles to discard them after the commission of a crime. After all, it only took a mere P2,000 downpayment to acquire them.

That the cheapness of motorcycles allows just almost everybody to own one makes it a very attractive proposition for people with criminal intent. This, plus the built- in advantage of motorcycles in weaving in and out of traffic makes it ideal for quick getaways.

Now, if motorcycle dealers can offer dirt cheap prices just to make sales in face of stiff competition, it only follows that they will not make it hard for customers in other aspects of the transaction.

In other words, sales can be sealed with almost no questions asked, making it precisely the right formula for providing the right vehicles for the wrong people. It is on this note that something more should be done about the problem than merely giving more money to the police.

The sale of motorcycles should be made more difficult than it is now. More information about buyers should be required at the point of sale. Maybe barangay, police and NBI clearances should be required. People with no criminal intent will not mind the added requirements.