Manila: A transport group criticised the Metro Manila Development Authority for purchasing expensive Italian motorcycles for its police escort riders, as it said that the acquisition reeks of insensitivity on the part of the agency.
According to George San Mateo, president of the jeepney transport PISTON, the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) recent acquisition of a pair of expensive Ducati Monster motorcycle is unnecessary.
“They should have given serious thought to buying these expensive motorcycles as it does not go well with the condition that most Filipino are in right now. A great number are still mired in poverty and here comes the government buying a pair of motorcycles which is considered a luxury rather than a necessity,” San Mateo said.
According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMDA bought two Ducati Monster 759 during Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in January. The same pair of motorcycles will serve as police escort for visiting dignitaries for the coming Asia Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) leader’s summit in November.
Prized by motorcycle aficionados, the Ducati Monster sports bike is the equivalent of a Ferrari in terms of speed, handling and agility.
Photos of the Ducati Monster 759 bought by the MMDA showed that it was not outfitted for typical police escort work.
According to the website, ph.priceprice.com, the price of a “used” Ducati Monster 795 is 570,000 pesos (Dh46,440) — about the cost of a second-hand mid-range family car in the Philippines.
“This kind of purchase is insensitive in light of the many Filipinos living in poverty,” San Mateo said.
He added that the visiting heads of states would understand if they were welcomed with average, not-so-expensive equipment during their visit.
For his part, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino justified the Ducati Monster purchases saying that the acquisitions “are pursuant to existing international laws which entail the receiving of visiting heads of state with respect and dignity.
“Existing Vienna conventions and diplomatic protocols require us as hosts and receiving country to provide the highest security arrangements to visiting presidents and prime ministers in the same manner they provide when our own president visits other countries,” he said.
Aside from the Ducati bikes, the government also purchased a number of Suzuki Bandit motorcycles for escort security work during the Apec.
Less expensive than the Ducati Monsters, the Suzuki Bandits are almost as fast and as capable of going after perpetrators in the event of a serious security threat.
“The Ducati Monster and Suzuki Bandit motorcycles were bought not for show but out of necessity as these larger bikes were needed to perform the tasks at hand such as security convoy, road clearing, and high speed travel. The motorcycles will also be used for succeeding visits of dignitaries, other similar international and significant events, and for the daily traffic accident management in Metropolitan Manila,” Tolentino explained.
