The Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced plans to increase the number of officers patrolling the notorious Marilaque Highway, which spans Marikina, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon. This decision comes in response to a surge in deadly accidents, particularly among motorcycle enthusiasts who frequent the area.
During a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Lt. Dhame Malang of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) stated that additional police would be deployed during peak times, especially on weekends when more riders are present. The focus will be on areas like Palo Alto and Devil’s Curve, known hotspots for motorcycle gatherings.
The urgency of the situation was highlighted during a recent Senate hearing on transportation security, where Ariel Lim, president of the National Public Transport Coalition, reported multiple fatalities on the highway, notably in the Tanay, Rizal area.
To bolster their efforts, the HPG will collaborate with local government units and police forces from Laguna and Quezon, adding to the 17 members of the Highway Patrol Team already stationed in Rizal.
The latest incident occurred on January 26 in Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, marking the 13th accident of the year. This crash resulted in one fatality and several injuries among spectators. The Motorcycle Rights Organization has been warning about the dangers of reckless racing on this highway since 2017.
Last year, the PNP-HPG documented 158 accidents on the Marilaque Highway, underscoring the need for immediate action to enhance safety.