The first batch of improvised mufflers from confiscated motorcycles over the first round of a five-day operation of Oplan ATOM (Aggressive Traffic Operation Management) were crushed by a road roller in the presence of the Philippine National Police regional director.
PNP-7 Regional Director Manuel Gaerlan personally supervised the crushing of the improvised mufflers confiscated in Tagbilaran City during the first five days of the campaign against loud mufflers.
A total of 126 loud mufflers or improvised mufflers of motorcycles were confiscated by the Task Force Alimpos of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) during the period.
On Monday, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap sent a road roller to the Bohol Police Provincial Office at Camp Dagohoy to crush the confiscated improvised mufflers.
The road roller had to run six times on the mufflers which proved to be that hard.
Gaerlan was joined by Police Provincial Director Dennis Agustin, City Chief of Police George Vale and City Mayor John Geesnell Yap.
According to PSInsp. Roland Desiree Lavisto, each original improvised muffler costs P6,000, while the home-made mufflers is pegged at P2,000.
In Oplan ATOM, PNP’s Task Force Alimpos run after those driving without license, driving carnapped vehicles, minors driving, driving unregistered vehicles, loud mufflers, those driving wearing shorts and slippers, and violators of the helmet law.
Vale also said the Helmet Law also prohibits minors as backriders.
Gaerlan commended Agustin for launching the massive campaign against loud mufflers that cause public disturbance and had been the subject of complaints.
After the crushing of the confiscated mufflers at Camp Dagohoy, the police officials proceeded to the People’s Mansion for a press conference.
Gaerlan had an opportunity during the press conference to commend the BPPO for bringing results in the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs and all forms of criminalities.
Gaerlan also shared that like the cops in Bohol, Cebu cops also made results in the One Time-Big Time campaign.
He said his predecessor, Police Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, started it and they are stepping it up to sustain the momentum.
Bañas then challenged Agustin to make Bohol the first drug-free province in Central Visayas region.
The aggressive anti-illegal drugs campaign now inches on another level of the challenge by plucking out suspected drug protectors that had penetrated the police organization.
Gaerlan assured Agustin that his leadership will always support the local police in the campaign.