Police to check vehicles in dangerous roads

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 will put up what they call “check up stations” in various roads not only in Cebu but the entire Central Visayas.

This is in response to the accident that killed 20 Iranians when a bus fell off a cliff along the transcentral highway in Balamban, Cebu last June 13.

Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, PRO7 director, revealed in yesterday’s Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) forum, that the check up stations will have police personnel and barangay tanods.

He said that the assigned personnel will be tasked to stop and check all sorts of vehicles before these are allowed to resume their travel.

Nerez said the check up points will be placed in “critical” roads, or those that are downhill and roads with sharp curves.

In coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the police will also put up roadside reflectorized signs in areas like the transcentral highway so that the drivers and commuters can see these vividly even at nights.

The most important area where a check up station would be established, according to Nerez, is Sitio C in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu. The sitio is named after the shape of the road.

These was where the bus driven by Jaime Batoon, owner of JD Tours, fell in a ravine. Batoon also died along with 20 Iranian medical practitioners and students.

Nerez stressed that the check up stations will just assist the drivers in preventing possible vehicular accidents along the road.

It is still up to the driver to make sure that the passengers are safe, he said. He aired the reminder for drivers to shift to low gear when travelling downhill.