MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered the apprehension of bikers of motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas Wednesday, following a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Supreme Court suspending its operations.
LTFRB Board Resolution No. 095 directed its law enforcement unit and other traffic enforcement agencies to apprehend and impound the motorcycles of Angkas if they are found operating as public utility vehicles.
“Now therefore, premises considered, in order to immediately implement the resolution of the Supreme Court dated December 5, 2018, this Board hereby orders the Law Enforcement Unit of this Board as well as directs the LTO, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT), and other authorized traffic enforcement agencies to apprehend and impound motorcycles of DBDOYC/Angkas if found operating in the streets as public utility vehicles,” the resolution read.
In an earlier statement, the LTFRB has reiterated that motorcycles are not allowed to operate as public transport services under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“Our position remains the same — motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136. For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress. Additionally, the safety of patrons and commuters are also put at risk, as motorcycles are not considered a safe mode of public transport,” according to the Board.
In a two-page order dated Dec. 5 and released Wednesday, the SC’s Second Division ruled in favor of a petition filed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) seeking to stop the operations of Angkas run by DBDOYC Inc.
“The Court, without necessarily giving due course thereto, resolves to issue a temporary restraining order, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court, enjoining public respondent Judge Carlos A. Valenzuela, RTC (Regional Trial Court), Br.213, Mandaluyong City, the private respondent (DBDOYC Inc.), their agents, representatives, and anyone acting on their behalf, from implementing the assailed RTC Order dated 20 August 2018,” read the notice of resolution signed by SC Clerk of Court lawyer Edgar Aricheta.
The LTFRB earlier announced a crackdown against the service for lack of necessary franchise to operate and elevated the case to the SC, following a writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Mandaluyong RTC Branch 213 last August in favor of Angkas.
