A total of 51 confiscated “bora-bora” or modified mufflers were crushed beyond repair by a backhoe in Dimiao on Wednesday morning.

According to Dimiao police chief SPO4 Simpriano Simbajon, the illegal motorcycle parts which were confiscated in various operations were destroyed in front of the town’s municipal hall.

The activity led by Mayor Danilo Guivencan was intended to deter motorcyclists from modifying their mufflers to create loud sounds and cause noise pollution.

Simbajon said that the use of the bora-bora or improvised mufflers violates Republic Act 4136.

“No motor vehicle shall be operated in such a manner as to cause it to emit or make any unnecessary or disagreeable odor, smoke or noise,” the RA states.

The Dimiao Police Station has been implementing checkpoints and increasing its police visibility to deter the use of the said mufflers and criminal activities, said Simbajon.

Earlier this year, the Land Transportation Office in the province also ordered the arrest of errant motorcyclists particularly those with customized motorcycles.

In a letter to its officers, the LTO headquarters in Manila ordered the arrest of drivers of motorcycles with loud mufflers, redesigned bodies and replaced handlebars.

The directive was issued amid mounting complaints from the public against errimg motorcyclists, particularly those with noisy mufflers. (W. Maestrado)