By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a press conference this Tuesday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon issued a stern warning against hoarders of Beep cards that are causing artificial shortages of these contactless payment cards at Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 & 2, and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 stations.
Secretary Dizon also noted the modus operandi of some fraudulent online sellers of Beep cards, with these individuals availing of these smart contactless cards at automated vending machines in stations of Metro Manila’s railway lines, costing P30 apiece, then upselling these cards on online selling platforms at P200.
Moreover, this includes the sale and distribution of so-called Beep “charms”, or keychains embedded with a chip extracted from a Beep card, and sold online at P700, with AF Payments Inc. (API) CEO Jojo Carpio warning the public not to patronize these unofficial and illicit products.
Dizon said, lamenting the hoarding of Beep cards online that affects riders of Metro Manila’s railway lines, “Sa mga kababayan natin, ‘wag kayong magpapaloko sa mga ito. Gina****, binobola lang kayo ng mga loko-lokong ito.”
The Transportation czar outlined some of the measures that would be enforced by DOTr and concerned agencies as part of a crackdown to resolve this pressing concern, which includes installation of additional CCTVs in key LRT and MRT stations, increased presence of security personnel near Beep card vending machines, and issuance of notices to online selling platforms ordering the takedown of shops and accounts of individuals selling overpriced Beep cards and charms online.
Secretary Dizon and API CEO Carpio lauded the efforts of the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) in swiftly acting upon the illicit Beep cards and charms scheme online, with PNP-ACG Director Bernard Yang noting an entrapment operation in Pasig City last week that led to the arrest of some erring individuals involved in this shady enterprise.
With the shortage of Beep cards already addressed as of press time, Dizon said that the DOTr and other concerned agencies are coordinating with API in search of ways to ensure easier and faster loading of these smart contactless cards, which would streamline the process for commuters and plug loopholes that may be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.
DOTr, concerned agencies to act on abusive motorist in Cavite traffic incident
At the same press conference, Secretary Dizon reaffirmed his agency’s firm stance against disobedient drivers, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate on protecting the safety and welfare of pedestrians and motorists alike on Philippine roads.
This, as he expressed dismay over a recent incident in Kawit, Cavite, which involved traffic enforcer Michael Trajico dangling over the hood of a motorist’s car for 10-15 minutes, after its driver accelerated and even activated the wipers instead of stopping after being flagged by Trajico.
The Transport chief encouraged Trajico to file a case against the errant driver, allegedly a lawyer, reassuring the traffic enforcer that the national government and concerned authorities are on his side.
Dizon warned abusive motorists, “‘Pag kayo ay hindi sumunod sa batas, kayang-kayang tanggalin ng gobyerno, ng LTO, ang lisensya n’yo. Either temporarily, or in the case ng mga grabeng violators, forever o habambuhay kayong hindi makaka-maneho, makakasuhan pa kayo.”
Also present at the briefing were LTO Asec. Vigor Mendoza II and Kawit Cavite Mayor Armie Aguinaldo.
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