The Suzuki Raider 150 driven by drag racer John Lloyd Malawian, 17, rams the topdown tricycle of the Villela couple on Sunday, 25 February 2024. Photo courtesy of Alfred Ian Soriano Abellada II
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 28 February) – Following the horrific illegal drag racing accident at a national highway that killed the rider and an innocent passerby, the provincial government of North Cotabato vowed to end the dangerous motorcycle race, locally called “waswas” and often involving the youth.
Former Board Member Shirlyn “Neneng” Macasarte, who represented the Office of the Provincial Governor, together with representatives from the Provincial Police Command and Land Transportation Office (LTO-12), met town officials of Libungan led by Mayor Angel Rose Cuan on Tuesday for measures to stop illegal drag racing in the municipality.
One of the measures discussed is to offer a reward to tipsters of “waswas” activity, which has become a source of betting involving huge amount of money.
“Our provincial office was deeply alarmed of this rampant drag racing and stiff sanctions should be applied immediately to have this stopped,” Macasarte said.
Last Sunday noon, the couple Florante and Genevieve Villela were traversing the highway in Barangay Sinawingan when their tricycle was bumped at the back by a speeding Suzuki Raider 150 going on the same direction towards Midsayap town.
The motorcycle was driven by 17-year-old John Lloyd Malawian, the drag racer who was killed the same day due to the impact of the crash, along with Genevieve Villela.
Florante Villela was brought to a hospital in Davao City and is still fighting for his life at the intensive care unit.
Jihada Maisalat, a resident of Libungan, urged authorities to strengthen police visibility at the highway, especially during weekends when illegal drag racing are often held in the locality.
“Every Saturday and Sunday, they rampantly hold racing, not thinking about the welfare of others. It would be okay if they cannot harm or annoy others, but that’s not the case,” she said.
Mayor Cuan vowed to institutionalize the giving of incentives, the details of which will still be discussed at the Sangguniang Bayan.
During the meeting, they agreed to install three checkpoints from barangays Ulamian to Batiocan.
Local officials also vowed to intensify the campaign against modified motorcycles and institutionalize speed limit in the area. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
