LTFRB says traffic enforcers start apprehending Angkas drivers

MANILA, Philippines — Some “Angkas” drivers have been apprehended by traffic enforcers following the order of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to impound Angkas motorcycles on Thursday.

The  LTFRB order came after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the ruling of a lower court preventing the LTFRB from interfering with the operations of the ride-hailing app.

READ: LTFRB to traffic law enforcers: Impound Angkas motorcycles 

The regulatory board said in a statement that several drivers were stopped by traffic enforcers along Pasay Road corner Edsa and Ayala corner Edsa in Makati City on Thursday for illegally offering motorcycle rides to the public

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

“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 (Many were apprehended. Some were friends, relatives or partners of Angkas drivers. There were some riders who tried to skirt the LTFRB order,” it said.

With this, the agency called on the riding public not to patronize these motorcycle rides as they are not registered with the government. This means that the driver will not be held liable for any accident that may happen to the passenger, 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.

(The public is encouraged not to patronize motorcycles that are operating as PUV because they are not registered with the government. If an accident happens, there is no insurance for passengers and the driver is not liable.)

“Hindi na reregulate ang pamashe ng mga ito. Hindi rin makokosidera na safe na pampublikong sasakyan ang motorsiklo (Fare for these motorcycle rides are not regulated and they are not considered as a safe mode of public transportation),” it added.

In a separate statement, the LTFRB stressed that Angkas motorcycles are illegal.

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 (The Supreme Court has issued an order. Let’s follow this. Let us not patronize illegal modes of public transportation because they are not safe for passengers),” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said.

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.

“’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 (The public may curse us for this decsision but this is better than getting blamed for deaths due to Angkas),” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

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

The LTFRB cited a report by the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) that 15,542 road accidents involving motorcycles were reported from January 2017 to November 2018. /ee