Cops round up 44 drag racers in QC; violators face fines

Quezon City police and city government traffic operatives rounded up 44 people suspected of engaging in illegal street racing on Mindanao Avenue at dawn yesterday.

Manuel Sabalza, deputy city administrator and chief of the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), said the arrest of the drag racers was a result of a weeklong surveillance conducted by his office and the Central Police District (CPD).

"We intercepted them as soon as they began racing, Sabalza told The STAR.

He said police and city traffic operatives rounded up 33 cars and 11 motorcycles from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. along Mindanao Avenue, which has become the favorite racing strip for teenagers and young adults.

Sabalza said at least 70 officers and men from the CPD-District Intelligence Investigation Department, mobile patrol and traffic management office joined in the operation.

He said the drivers were booked for violation of a city ordinance, which prohibits drag racing on city streets.

If convicted the drag racers may face a maximum one-year prison term and a fine of P5,000.

Homeowners along Mindanao Avenue and Congressional Avenue have been complaining about the racing activities in area, which usually starts after midnight.

Sabalza said prior to the operation intelligence operatives had already identified the suspects and were ready to pounce on them as soon as the race started.

He said the suspects were eventually released after they were issued traffic violation receipts, but they will be charged before the city prosecutor’s office for violation of the city ordinance.

"They will be summoned by the fiscal and they have to answer the charges against them," Sabalza said.