MMDA indefinitely suspends accreditation of towing company

Some of the motorcycles that were allegedly illegally towed by Arrom Towing Services. MMDA photo.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has slapped an indefinite suspension order against a towing company for alleged illegal towing activities.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia on Tuesday said the accreditation given to Arrom Towing Services for its six tow trucks were indefinitely suspended following reports that the company had allegedly conducted illegal towing operations.

According to Garcia, the modus operandi of the towing company was to take towed motorcycles to Cloverleaf, Balintawak, where their garage is located instead of the MMDA’s impounding area in Tumana, Marikina City.

“Kapag naka-tow sila, dinadala nila sa Cloverleaf, doon makiki-pagtawaran,” Garcia said in a press conference.

The MMDA added that Arrom Towing Services would also convince the drivers of the towed motorcycles that they would be paying higher fees if their vehicles were brought to the MMDA impounding area in Marikina City.

Garcia also clarified that the penalty for towed motorcycles and tricycles remain at P1,000 and P1,500, respectively regardless of the distance travelled between the area where the vehicle was towed and the MMDA Tumana impounding area.

“Nag a-apply lang yung distance to four wheels (vehicles): light, medium, and heavy,” Garcia said.

According to the MMDA, tow trucks of the Arrom Towing Services towed six motorcycles on Monday along 10th Avenue in Caloocan City and asked the owners to pay the towing amount of P1,500 each.  /muf