Mandaue ramps up drive vs drag racing

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government has stepped up efforts to stop unauthorized motorcycle drag racing under the Cansaga Bridge in Barangay Paknaan after receiving reports of young riders gathering in the area late at night.

‎At around 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, the City Mayor’s Office-Special Mayor’s Active Response Team (CMO-SMART), with assistance from the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), and Barangay Paknaan, conducted an operation after confirming reports that motorcycles were racing under the bridge.

‎City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on said the city received an initial report that nearly 20 motorcycles were involved in the activity.

‎“Dili mo tolerate ang City sa ingon ana... kadaghanan na unya ana muabot na unya na sa atong dan nga gipanggamit gyud,” Malig-on said in an interview yesterday, September 11, 2026.

‎Malig-on said the city had been aware of similar activities in the past but was now taking a stronger approach after receiving renewed reports.

‎“Sa una, wa pa ang bag-ong admin, kabalo mi ana...pero karon lang, naa na'y feedback, mao tong gipa-sikop,” he said.

‎In a separate interview, CMO-SMART team leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani said the operation stemmed from a complaint raised by a concerned citizen to Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano.

‎Gobalani said the mayor then directed the team to look into the report, prompting a day of surveillance that confirmed motorcycles were racing under the Cansaga Bridge.

‎The riders reportedly began gathering at around 9 p.m., with the activity usually continuing until 11 p.m. or midnight.

‎Gobalani said the riders would tune and test their motorcycles before racing, with some of those monitored estimated to be in their early 20s.

‎“Not only na ilaha gi-compromise ang safety sa ilahang kaugalingon, ila sad gi-compromise ang safety sa public,” Gobalani said.

‎He said the area is a public place where families also gather, raising concerns over the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and other people in the vicinity.

‎Gobalani said some of the riders were from Mandaue while others came from neighboring Consolacion, with the area serving as a boundary between the two localities.

‎During the operation, authorities checked the riders’ official receipts and certificates of registration (OR/CR) and driver’s licenses. Gobalani said the riders were compliant with the requirements. No initial violations were filed against the riders.

They, however, noted that some riders were not wearing helmets during the activity.

‎The team, however, warned the riders against repeating the activity and recorded their motorcycle plate numbers for monitoring.

‎Gobalani said enforcement action could follow if the same riders are caught engaging in the activity again.

‎ ‎Meanwhile, Malig-on said he was checking with the Mandaue City Council whether the city has an existing ordinance specifically covering motorcycle drag racing.

‎If no specific ordinance exists, Malig-on said the matter would be brought to the Mayor for direction.

‎He said the city could still address the activity as a safety concern, particularly because motorcycle racing involves speed and takes place in a public area.

‎Malig-on also urged young riders to avoid the practice, saying the potential danger outweighs the thrill of drag racing.

‎“Pahimangno, ang ako lang is kung mahimo likayan na lang nato ang ing-ana nga klase nga bisyo,” he said.

‎“Mas importante man siguro atong kinabuhi. Usa ra'y kinabuhi sa tao,” Malig-on added.

‎He also called on parents to discourage their children from participating in unauthorized drag racing, noting that it could endanger both the riders and other people.

‎Aside from Cansaga, Gobalani said CMO-SMART has also received reports of similar activities along Ouano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area, which the team is now monitoring.

‎He stressed that the city is not against organized motorcycle racing conducted in a controlled environment and with the necessary permits.

‎During Mandaue’s recent Charter Day activities, a circuit race was held in the Cansaga area with city approval.

‎Gobalani said the concern was with unauthorized races conducted without permits or safety controls.

‎“Dili pwede ing-ana na kanang kalit-kalit or abot-abot ba. Kuyaw man gud na,” he said.

‎He described the activity monitored last Thursday as an “illegal drag race” because it was conducted without the city’s authorization and safety controls.