SPD forms squads to fight motorbike-riding criminals

MANILA, Philippines -  Alarmed by a surge in crimes involving criminals riding motorcycles in southern Metro Manila, the Southern Police District (SPD) said yesterday it has formed teams of motorcycle-riding police officers.

Called the Tactical Motorcycle Riders Units (TMRU), most members of the newly formed squads are recruited from the ranks of the Special Weapons and Tactics units of the Pasay, Muntinlupa, Taguig, Parañaque, Makati and Las Piñas cities. Only the municipality of Pateros has yet to form its own unit as it still lacks motorcycles.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte described the TMRU as a mobile, well-trained squad whose principal task is to stop, chase and frisk motorcycle riders who fit the current police profile of motorcycle-riding criminals.