Several Angkas drivers already apprehended — LTFRB

A commuter uses Angkas motorcycle transport as seen in the street of Makati City, to bypass Metro Manila’s traffic choked roads.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Some drivers of the motorcycle-hailing app Angkas have already been apprehended by traffic enforcers following the order of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Thursday morning.

The order of the LTFRB came after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the ruling of a lower court that prevents the LTFRB from interfering with the operations of Angkas.

READ: LTFRB to traffic law enforcers: Impound Angkas motorcycles

In a statement released by the regulatory board, it said that several drivers were stopped by traffic enforcers along Pasay rd. Cor. Edsa at Ayala Cor. Edsa in Makati for illegally offering motorcycle rides as public transport.

One apprehended driver, the LTFRB said, was even discovered to have covered the Angkas logo at the back of his helmet with an electrical tape.

“Marami ang pinara kung saan ang ilan ay napatunyang kamag anak, kaibigan, o kasintahan ang Angkas, habang mayroon din ilan na sumubok pang magdahilan na ‘di nakalusot sa LTFRB,” it said.

(A lot of drivers were stopped and while some of the passengers were proven to be a relative, a friend, or a partner of the river, there were still some who tried to make excuses which were futile to the LTFRB.)

With this, the LTFRB called on the riding public not to patronize motorcycle rides as a public mode of transport, adding that these operations were not registered with the government.

This means that drivers would not be held liable for any accident that may happen, the LTFRB said.

“Hinihikayat ang publiko na ‘wag tangkilikin ang mga motorsiklo na ginagamit bilang PUV dahil hindi ito rehistrado sa gobyerno. Kapag may nangyaring aksidente ay walang insurance ang pasahero at walang pananagutan ang driver,” it said.

(I’m urging the public not to patronize motorcycles that are being used as PUV because these aren’t registered with the government. If an accident occurs, the passenger won’t have insurance and the driver won’t be held liable for anything.)

“Hindi na reregulate ang pamashe ng mga ito. Hindi rin makokosidera na safe na pampublikong sasakyan ang motorsiklo,” it added.

(The fare isn’t being regulated. Using the motorcycle as public transport cannot be considered safe.)

The LTFRB stressed that Angkas motorcycles were considered “colorum” under the law.

It cited Republic Act No. 4136 or the  Land Transportation and Traffic Code which stated that motorcycles are not allowed to be offered as a mode of public transportation.

“Naglabas na ng utos ang Korte Suprema. Sundin po natin ito. ‘Wag tayong tumangkilik sa mga kolorum na motorsiklo dahil hindi ito ligtas para sa mga mananakay,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said.

(The Supreme Court has already given the order. Let’s follow it. Let’s avoid colorum motorcycles because these aren’t safe for passengers.)

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the agency does not mind the backlash it is receiving for interfering with Angkas’ operations, so that the agency can ensure the safety of the riding public.

READ: DOTr thanks Supreme Court for TRO on ‘Angkas’

“’Di bale nang murahin kami ng tao kaysa naman wala na kaming marinig na mura dahil ‘yung tao, binawian na ng buhay. Walang trabaho o pag-eeskwelang babalikan ‘pag nadale diyan sa Angkas,” Tugade said.

(We would rather the public curse us than us not hearing any of their curses because their lives have already been taken away. They can’t go back to work or school if anything happens to them with Angkas.)

The LTFRB cited a report by the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) which showed that there have been 15,542 road accidents involving motorcycles from January 2017 to November 2018. /je