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Days after a task force was set up by the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) to go after motorcycle-riding crooks, a habal-habal driver was shot dead in barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City before noon yesterday.
The shooter rode a motorcycle.
The 32-year-old victim identified as Mark Flores, had just been released from prison last Oct. 8 and was sitting on a bamboo bench at a roadside on F. Sotto Street, barangay Kamputhaw when he was killed.
Two persons on a motorcycle arrived. The back rider got off the vehicle and fired at Flores several times at close range.
The gunman then joined his companion. They sped off towards General Maxilum Avenue, before making a U-turn and headed to Gorordo Avenue.
Witnesses were unable to identify the two suspects who wore crash helmets and jackets.
Flores died on the spot from gunshot wounds on his right arm and face.
Cebu City police gave chase along with a Regional Mobile Group (RMG) unit but they were unable to arrest the perpetrators.
Flores's neighbors later said the victim was a known “troublemaker” in the barangay.
The suspect was arrested last Sept. 29 on charges of illegal possession of firearms as well as alarm and scandal.
The crime scene drew many onlookers, causing a minor traffic jam.
PRO-7 Regional Director Chief Supt. Ronald Roderos said he had yet to receive a report on the shooting.
Roderos, who ordered city and municipal police chiefs to have habal-habal drivers organize themselves into an association to police their ranks, gave the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) one month to resolve cases involving motorcycle-riding crooks.
Roderos said the one-month period, which started from last Monday's conference held at the CCPO, won’t result in sanctions if the city police fails to accomplish its task by that time.
"Assessment ba on what happened. Why? We will evaluate why it happened and then make corrective measures and adjustment of our strategy,” Roderos said.
The task force is headed by Senior Supt. Drusillo Bolodo, PRO-7 assistant regional director for operations.
The task force is divided into the operational and support groups with the Cebu City Police Office, Mandaue City Police Office, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and the Cebu Provincial Police Office heading the operational units.
The technical support group consists of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG 7), PNP Crime Lab, PNP legal service Highway Patrol Group and Regional Intelligence Office (RIO).
Roderos said the task force will institute synchronized checkpoints to monitor and arrest motorcycle-riding criminals.
Aside from this, Roderos said he is amenable to a proposal by Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) acting director Supt. Vicente Mersan Premne to require habal habal drivers to wear uniforms.
Roderos said the police chiefs must also coordinate with various local government units (LGUs) for the passage of an ordinance regulating the operation of habal habal vehicles.
He said a color coding system could be adopted based on the color of the motorcycle or the color of the plate number.
Roderos said the PNP is also coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to place plate numbers on the rear portion of the motorcycle for easier identification. /With a report from Dale G. Israel
