THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) headed by Police Colonel Tomas Joseph Martir and the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) under Colonel Antonio John Divinagracia have been directed to launch a crackdown on illegal drag racing in this city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar issued the directive in the wake of a policeman’s killing while trying to run after a group of youngsters engaged in drag racing along Mayor Vitaliano Agan avenue before dawn of October 13.

“We will not tolerate drag racing in the city, given that the perpetrators have caused violence against our law enforcers,” Salazar declared.

“That is why, with the call of the barangay officials, we’ve also asked TFZ to help in the apprehension of those violating the laws, particularly drag racers, who endanger their own lives by that activity,” she added.

At the same time, Salazar expressed the city government’s deepest condolences to the family of Patrolman Pedro Umpad, “who has given his life in the line of duty to make sure that the citizens of Zamboanga are safe.”

Umpad, was shot and killed one of two men riding tandem in a motorcycle when he and his buddy, Patrolman Adamer Pandangan, spotted motorcycle riders who were engaged in illegal drag race while on roving patrol along Agan Avenue.

Umpad was shot as he alighted from the police car to issue citation ticket while Pandangan was interviewing a rider. (SunStar Zamboanga)