Nowadays, its getting to be a glaring fact that riding motorcycles is a criminal act. I got tired of reading again and again, stories of abuse by those in authority - and for what? A measly sum of money to bring home to their wife and children with. Can they really look at their children at the end of the day and say, "I have worked hard and honestly for that money, son.." Money that could have been the last for some father's medicine for a child in critical condition, or to pay for a deceased mother's coffin and funeral. Reading the forums brings me nothing but dismay as riders desperately hope for the last resort to it all: the workshop to be held this September 10, 2008, between some personnels of the Land Transportation Office and leaders of a few bike groups. This is to discuss an administrative order that - apparently a high school student from a debate team could've easily drafted better - takes away the right of all motorcycle owners to modify their private property.
Opening up the proverbial Pandora's Box to countless abuse by many, not all, of those in uniform. As if the order itself is not enough, many new "laws" are conjured and added right then and there to the brew at every check point, for the "supposed" safety of riders. Many of the police that were invisible just a few years back are now all over the place, with the smell for the hunt, perhaps realizing that the motorcycle community is really a vast harvest after all.
One need only to drive around the metro and in virtually every major thoroughfare you would pass by throngs of motorcyclists huddled on the side of the road haplessly surrendering to needless inspection, and a small violation, such as changing seat covers, would mean P2500 less for your family needs.
With the workshop - if ever that would accomplish anything - still to come, the LTO is turning a blind eye to the continuing abuse by its deputized and so-called "protectors of the people" and as not to lose face - refuse to back down with regards to re-writing the bill (stating that they've already passed it or something so it's too late - I see someone's been eating too much MSG) that any neanderthal lawyer can read in glaring words: "d u m b a s s . .".
I know and have very close friends who are in the highest ranks of the local police force. Not just a precinct head, but in charge of the metro-wide force, who are working so damn hard to change how the common people would look at the police, someone you could go to for help without fear of being taken advantaged of.
Coming from their own mouth, these officials know and acknowledge the fact that the image of the police force is stained only by the corrupt practice of a few, and that the answer everyone is hoping for lies not in a change of image, a disciplinary action, a dismissal from service, a month long suspension, a media flurry - but in a change of heart for those in service. A renewed burden to carry out what their badges stand for, and new eyes to see that the people they have sworn to protect are not mere milking cows, but strangers who are worth catching a bullet for.
I for one still believe in the PNP and what it stands for. The force as a whole. Regardless of how a minority of it may give it a bad name, if only for those in it who are still fighting the good fight, and those solitary few who despite the danger are still fighting for what's right.
