AT least 81 persons were apprehended on the first day of the implementation of a city ordinance that prohibits bonnets and other face covers in Mandaue City yesterday.
That number was recorded as of 4:15 p.m.
Glenn Antigua, chief for operations of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said most of those apprehended said they just wanted to test if the City Government would really implement the ban.
Most violators were flagged down in the boundaries of the city like those traveling from the north and those coming from Lapu-Lapu City.
The Mandaue City Council approved Ordinance 14-2017-1251 last Nov. 9, 2017, following several shooting incidents that involved riding-in-tandem culprits.
It prohibits motorcycle drivers, passengers and tricycle drivers from using any garment that would cover their face.
On the first day of the implementation, Antigua said all the 220 traffic enforcers were on duty.
Some of the apprehended motorists went to the Team office to settle their violations. However, Antigua said, when they found out that the fine is P5,000, they left to figure out how they can settle it.
“Kahibaw na sila. Posible ilang gisuwayan kung tinuod ni nga ma-implement (They already know that Mandaue has this ordinance. It is possible that they were just testing if the ordinance would be really implemented),” he said.
For those who will try to escape, Antigua said the traffic enforcer will give a signal to another traffic enforcer assigned at the next corner through a radio so the violator will be caught.
Aside from Team personnel, police officers and concerned citizens can go after violators.
Citizens can take note or take a picture of the plate number of the traffic violator and send it to Team or the City Public Information Facebook page, Antigua said.
“After seven days di ka mo-settle sa imong violation so paylan kag kaso ( if the apprehended person will not settle his or her violation then a criminal case will be filed),” he said.
As for the helmets, Antigua reiterated that Shangyang brands, bike helmets and nutshell helmets will not be allowed.
Full-face helmets and half-face helmets are the only prescribed helmets according to the law, he said.
Wearing sunglasses is fine. However, those whose helmets have tinted visors or face shields must pull these up to show their faces while driving in Mandaue.
Antigua said those who will be caught not wearing the right helmet will have to pay a fine of P500.
He said P500 will also be the fine for those who keep their tinted visors down. (FMG)