Motorcycle riders to hold protest

CEBU, Philippines - Motorcycle riders in Cebu City are scheduled to hold a protest rally at the end of the month to express disagreement to the ordinance that prohibits the use of modified mufflers.

A motorcade rally will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on December 31 from the South Road Properties to Natalio Bacalso Avenue.

“It will be a morning activity... The purpose of the activity is against the anti-muffler ordinance and modifications. Since we are taxpayer riders, we would like to clarify and fight on our rights and privilege. We will be using open pipes for the activity,” said RJ Go, in charge of the activity.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has already approved the request of the motorcycle riders to hold the rally.

Lawyer Rey Gealon, acting executive director of CCTO, said the group was permitted to commence the event provided that it will abide by the existing traffic policies and that it will follow the approved route, which is from Sugbo grounds at the SRP to Mambaling Access Road then to Natalio Bacalso Avenue.

“The right to hold a rally is a constitutionally guaranteed right so long as they do not violate any law,” he said.

“What I am afraid of is when elements of LTO (Land Transportation Office) or TPG (Traffic Patrol Group) will apprehend them for their use of their borabora motorcycles during that rally,” Gealon added.

Go said the anti-muffler ordinance is “unfair” and has been improperly implemented.  According to him, there should be no discrimination in the application of the ordinance. He said it should not be limited only to motorcycles.

Go said the LTO should instead go after the makers of unauthorized mufflers rather than going after the customers. Go emphasized that almost all of Cebu riders club are legitimate and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He believes that modified mufflers have an advantage because they “provide road awareness and safety of the driver.”

Go said modified mufflers should not be apprehended without the use of proper noise measuring instrument. — May Miasco/FPL (FREEMAN)