Security Alert: Defense Against Motorcycles Riding in Tandem

“Safety first is safety always.” – Charles Hayes

Crimes perpetrated by criminals who are riding in tandem are almost a daily fare in the news nowadays. The motorcycle is the criminals’ getaway vehicle of choice because of its ability to weave in and out of traffic, especially in Metro Manila and other traffic-congested urban centers. Moreover, the required “gear” for riders, particularly the helmet, gives criminals a very legit way to cover their identities.  Potential targets have very difficult time detecting and defending against these criminals because of these factors. It is imperative that we, the potential victims of these riders-in-tandem, must be aware, study, and prepare against this crime phenomenon. The current situation provides advantage for this type of criminals.

What are the possible defense tactics that potential targets can employ to mitigate, if not neutralize, this threat?

First and foremost, prevention has always been better than cure. Similar with other deliberate crimes, robbery and assassination perpetrated by criminals riding in tandem require planning. In my previous article entitled “Surveillance Detection,” I outlined various techniques that can be used by potential victims to detect criminals who are planning something sinister against them.  The techniques that I will mention in this article are the continuation of those techniques, especially if there are positive indicators of a threat. But before everything else, let me state the obvious that reporting to the police is the first and most sensible option. But obvious too is the fact that leaving everything to the police is not the wisest and most responsible route.  This is because the police can only do so much before a crime happens. Please be reminded that intent per se is not yet a crime. The violation of law commences when the prohibited actions are overtly performed to execute the criminal intent. Simply, the presence of suspicious looking people or movements do not yet constitute a crime. Therefore, the great deal of prevention, evasion, and/or mitigation relies on the potential target and/or victim himself, considering that if a crime happens, he or she is in the middle of it!

Here are some tips worth considering and pondering upon if ever you find yourself facing a threat from riding-in-tandem criminals. These are culled from experiences and observations of incident investigations as well as products of afterthoughts.  Employed properly at the right time and at the right places, these can mitigate the advantages of motorcycle-mounted criminals, especially by potential victims riding in four-wheeled vehicles.

1. The first and foremost realization about motorcycles is the fact that they can “filter” through gaps between cars. This is a common practice of almost all motorcycle riders in the country due to the very nil, if not total absence of, laws regulating the mode of overtaking by motorcycles. Considering that motorcycles can actually filter through gaps, it is obvious that the instinct of ordinary riders is to move to the front during red lights. It is then an alarm indicator if you observe a motorcycle behind you who does not drive to the front even if the driver can. This is unusual behavior in the Philippines and should be considered a threat.
2. The next step is to develop the habit of driving as close as possible to the car on your left to prevent shooters from driving next to your window. This way, you only have to concentrate your observation on one side. It also gives you ample space to maneuver inside your car if you are a firearms holder. For right-handed persons, it is easier to fire back against an enemy on your right side compared to your left.
3. When the attack actually happens, the “fight or flight response” takes over in most people. Considering that there is little time to or preparation to put up a fight, the “flight mode” takes over, and the usual reaction of victims is to drive away from danger. This is why in many incidents that I investigated, the final position of the steering wheel of the victim is usually turned away from the direction of the attack. This instinct is often fatal to the victim and gives more advantage to the attacker. Driving away from an attacker on a motorcycle is the fastest way to get shot multiple times as the little distance created between the target and the shooter makes it easier for the latter to verify his hits. The obvious defense (that needs rehearsing, at least mentally) is to drive towards the shooter with the intention to run him down. It has to be borne in mind that the vehicle itself is a defensive weapon that can be used against the attackers at a last recourse. At the very least, this can be used as a tool to prevent the perpetrators from escaping as one victim in General Santos City did in 2013 in a report from Minda News.

Motorcycle-riding criminals will continue to be a phenomenon in our midst. While the police are doing things to mitigate the threat that they create, such as conducting checkpoints, they will continue to pose a threat to potential victims. It is only though understanding of their modus operandi can we prevent or at least mitigate the threats that they pose.