Checkpoints deter crime

After successfully apprehending gun ban violators, flushing out unlicensed firearms, lowering crime rate and being greatly responsible for the peaceful conduct of the recent nationwide election exercises, the Philippine National Police (PNP) have decided to pursue the setting up of checkpoints all over the country and more aggressively in the Metro Manila area and its surrounding provinces.

Although undoubtedly proven as a crime deterrent, these checkpoints, which heighten police visibility (proven worldwide to reduce the incidence of crime) have their downside on human rights violations if abused or improperly conducted.

I recently did an on-camera interview with PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Col. Edwin Ray Butacan on our TV show Motoring Today (Solar Sports channel, Global-Destiny Cable Network, Sunday at 12 noon) specifically to discuss how these checkpoints would be conducted with an eye on ensuring that citizens’ basic human rights are not trampled upon. And through the Motoring Forum portion of the 23-year old institution on Philippine television, we were apprised on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that the PNP personnel who will be tasked to man these checkpoints have been trained to do.

To begin with, Col. Butacan assures that, “All checkpoints would be put up in properly-lit locations and not in dark areas with PNP personnel in proper uniform manning them accompanied with a supervising officer or ranked personnel.”

Edwin also further assured the motoring public during the exclusive TV interview that these policemen have been instructed and trained to be respectful to motorists and citizens while politely requesting for a cursory look at the cabin of the vehicle without necessarily conducting a very thorough and detailed search, not unless there is reasonable cause for such. Motorcyclists, however, can be requested to bring out their registration papers for inspection and verification as a matter of routine.

I suggest that motorists should have a mindset that the presence of these checkpoints translates to safer travel for us as it has been proven to reduce the incidence of crime and we should welcome it rather than look at their presence as a cause of our travel’s delay.

Our full cooperation is needed by the PNP to be able to effectively conduct these checkpoints and this could be simply manifested by merely turning on our automobile’s cabin lights whenever we are stopped in any of these legitimate checkpoints. Doing this would not only signal that we have nothing to hide and it would also help us go through these checkpoints faster and with ease.

Besides, having PNP checkpoints all over the country is an infinitely better alternative to having a total gun ban.

Literally a “hot” event

The official invitation of Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC) for their cocktails-launch of another remarkable BMW automobile said “Business Attire” and for many that means wearing a suit or at the very least a shirt with a tie.

Unfortunately the evening was one of the warmest of the year and also one of the most humid. But consistent with what ACC events are always known for, it was indeed a “hot” affair, what with the new 6th generation BMW 5 Series Sedan on center stage and with distinguished guests having loosened or unknotted ties, coats draping their arms instead of their backs, some completely shedding their coats, including business tycoon and ACC chairman, Jose “Pepito” Alvarez, who himself encouraged me to take off my coat like he did because of the debilitating heat.

But despite the heat and the sweat, the enthusiastic guests composed of BMW owners, clients, friends and invited members of the motoring media gamely looked over the automotive masterpiece on display that sweltering evening – the BMW 5 Series Sedan.

Bobby Rosales, the ever-friendly auto marketing veteran who’s heading the running of ACC as its president and CEO proudly describes the vehicle on the limelight, “With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek engine compartment lid, short overhangs front and rear and a coupé-like, graceful roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan stands out from the competition. Overall, the aesthetic looks of the car are clearly determined by perfectly balanced proportions. Design features typical of BMW are to be found both at the front with its BMW kidney grille inclined slightly forward and on the strikingly chiseled engine compartment lid, in the stylish and elegant side view of the car, and on the muscular rear end. Within the interior modern function and a superior ambience come together in perfect harmony, unmistakable style and clear orientation to the driver in the cockpit guaranteeing a truly unique driving and traveling experience.”

The lovely Maricar Parco, ACC’s vice president for marketing announced, “Asian Carmakers Corporation will be initially offering the BMW 523i, which will retail at P5.39M and the BMW 523i Executive at P5.59M and they are now available in all BMW showrooms.”

Congratulations to ACC for the warm – or is it hot – welcome afforded by automobile enthusiasts to the BMW 5 Series Sedan.

Meanwhile, the same ACC or Asian Carmakers Corporation, the official distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, under the leadership of its chairman, Mr. Jose Ch. Alvarez, recently held a ceremonial signing to formally announce the construction of the Jose Ch. Alvarez (JCA) Technology Complex, a modern technological education facility to be located inside the campus of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro.

The facility, targeted for completion by 2011 aims to develop the skills of deserving Filipino students and give them the opportunity to eventually become a part of a competent labor force not only here in the country but in international industries as well.

“I personally believe in the value of having a good education and I recognize the talent of the Filipino youth and their need for progressive educational institutions. Which is why the JCA Technology Complex was born,” said Mr. Alvarez, a recognized captain of industry.

The JCA Technology Complex will offer Automotive Technology as one of its courses and students enrolled in this program have the option to undergo training at different BMW dealerships and eventually get absorbed into the company.

Cheers to Pepito for this very laudable venture to help poor but deserving young Filipinos.

What the industry leaders have to say

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 24, the “movers and shakers” of the local automotive industry shall gather together at the Ballroom of Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City for two auspicious events – the 2010 Auto Focus Industry Forum and the official launch of the BDO 2010 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards.

Among the distinguished leaders of the country’s auto industry that shall speak in the forum is business tycoon Mr. Jose Ch. Alvarez as chairman of Columbian Autocars Corporation, distributors of Kia automobiles and also of Asian Carmakers Corporation sole distributors of BMW vehicles, Atty. Albert Arcilla, Managing Director and COO of Car Covenant Company, distributors of Chevrolet vehicles, Mr. Greg Yu, chairman of CATS Motors, distributors of Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, Mr. Masahiko Ueki, president of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, Mr. Danny Isla, president of Lexus-Manila and the only rose among the thorns is Ms. Fe Agudo, president and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, distributors of Hyundai automobiles.

To start off the program would be the individual speaker’s status report of the respective companies they represent, how they are coping with the present business atmosphere and their current performance in the market. This would be followed by discussions on their individual assessment of the latest Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP), which was recently approved by the outgoing president and finally their view on how the new incoming government can further intervene to ensure a continuing development of the Philippines’ auto industry.

With such a dynamic line up of speakers, representing all the major interests in the local auto sector, many are seeing the 2010 Auto Focus Industry Forum as an insightful sounding board for the new administration to serve as a guide in formulating future policies for the industry’s continuing development.

On the same evening, Sunshine Television (STV) shall launch this year’s staging of the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards as presented by BDO, a yearly exercise where the public can vote for their favorite automobiles to determine the most preferred models in each of the 12 categories of sedans, SUVs, vans, pick-ups, AUVs and sports cars currently available in the Philippine market and the most popular automobile that shall bestowed the coveted title of “Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice”.

Voting, which starts on July 1and ends on September 30 can be done through the ballots published on the Star on its motoring section every Wednesday, also on Top Gear magazine’s July, August and September issues and through the voting website www.autofocus.com.ph.

It’s “green” and go for the CAMPI motor show

The CAMPI organized motor show for this year dubbed as 3rd Philippine International Motor Show slated on August 19 to 22 at the World Trade Center shall “roll out the green carpet” instead of the usual red in line with the event’s theme “Drive the Green Road”, which shall showcase the latest green technologies in fuel-efficient and fuel-fed vehicles to include hybrids and clean burning, diesel-powered vehicles and fuel-efficient gas engines, among others.

The automotive organization shall also launch during the event it environmental protection awareness campaign called “My Ride + Earth” to complement its ongoing advocacy on the issue of climate change as their own small way in helping spread awareness, provide information, help increase understanding on what can be done to help mitigate climate change by lowering the industry’s carbon footprint.

Members of CAMPI think that the timing of the staging of the 3rd International Motor Show could not have been better as it is seen to further boost auto sales in the heels of a successful change of government leadership through a peaceful and successful fully automated election.

Motoring Tip of the Week

Did you know that having adequate motor car insurance coverage will not only assure you of coverage when your vehicle gets damaged, it can also save your life? How so?

Here’s a recent incident to demonstrate this, which has actually happened several times in the past and considered as an established modus operandi of many criminals – a van was bumped from behind and when the occupants of the van came down to inspect the damage, worse to confront the people riding in the vehicle that rammed them, a hold up was announced by those who bumped into them and when they appeared to resist they were gunned down.

I guess the right thing to do when bumped from behind, especially at night (although the above-mentioned incident happened in broad daylight) and this happens in unfamiliar places that you also perceive as dangerous, is to just proceed and not to stop at all. You can go to the nearest police station to report the incident and be provided with an accident report or go to a public place before safely proceeding home or to your intended destination.

Now you can unmindfully do this especially when you are adequately covered with comprehensive insurance. You won’t have to worry about the damage because your life is unarguably more important and with ample insurance coverage, damages can easily be fixed.

No, I’m not endorsing any insurance company. I’m just sharing valuable knowledge through experience as a public service. But I would strongly suggest that you don’t involve yourself with what appears to be “fly-by-night” insurers but only legitimate and well-established insurance companies.

The same principle applies to possible “full-contact” carnapping attempts. If you’re comprehensively insured, meaning including against theft – why fight of the carnapper? Give up the vehicle, no matter how expensive it is. Your life would mean more to those you will leave behind. And besides, you can claim the stolen vehicle against your insurance.

Happy Motoring!!!

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