THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) filed formal criminal charges on Tuesday, Aug. 4, against individuals involved in an illegal drag race that resulted in a fatal road collision along the Davao-Bukidnon Road in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño.
Formal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property were submitted to the City Prosecutor’s Office against the primary suspect and co-participants in the unauthorized speed contest.
The primary suspect, whose motorcycle directly struck the vehicle carrying a married couple who died in the crash, remains under police custody while undergoing treatment for injuries at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
In a development Tuesday afternoon, four individuals surrendered to the Baliok Police Station, admitting to their active involvement in the illegal race and issuing a public apology to the victims’ family.
In a video posted by the DCPO, the suspects asked for forgiveness from the family of the victims.
Police investigators are currently evaluating their formal statements to determine their joint criminal liability.
In response to the fatal incident, DCPO leadership ordered a comprehensive crackdown on street racing across major thoroughfares, including the Davao–Bukidnon Road, Diversion Road, MacArthur Highway, and coastal road extensions.
To avoid a repeat of the incident, the DCPO established high-visibility checkpoints and mobile saturation patrols during peak street-racing hours between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
It will also coordinate with the Land Transportation Office and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office to inspect illegal modification shops and impound non-compliant or altered motorcycles.
Finally, barangay officials, tanods, and community monitors are directed to report pre-race gatherings and spectator crowds for immediate police intervention.
“Public roads are not racing tracks,” the DCPO said in an official statement. “We will pursue every individual who places human lives at risk through reckless and illegal road activities.”
