By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday began apprehending bikers of the motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas, following the decision of Supreme Court to suspend its operations.
In a statement, the LTFRB said several Angkas riders were flagged down by authorities during anti-colorum operations along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa) corner Pasay Road and Edsa corner Ayala Ave.
One of these riders was found to have covered the Angkas mark on the helmet with electrical tape.
The Board noted that motorcycles are not allowed to operate as public transport services under Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“Malinaw sa kasalukuyang batas na kolorum ang mga motorsiklong namamasada tulad ng sa ‘Angkas.’ Kung kolorum ang isang sasakyan, walang ahensya ng gobyernong nangangasiwa sa mga pamantayang pangkaligtasan gayundin sa singil nito. Hindi rin ito tiyak na mapananagot oras na malagay sa aksidente, kaya walang maaasahang kagyat na tulong ang biktima o ang kanyang pamilya (It is clear that motorcycles operating as public utility vehicles, such as Angkas , are ‘colorum,’ based on existing laws. If a vehicle is unregistered, no government agency can regulate them, based on safety standards, as well as their fares. They are also not accountable in case of accidents. Thus, victims or their families cannot expect any immediate assistance),” the LTFRB said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the LTFRB released Board Resolution No. 095-2018, which directs 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.
“To immediately implement the resolution of the Supreme Court dated Dec. 5, 2018, this Board hereby orders the Law Enforcement Unit of this Board, as well as directs the LTO (Land Transportation Office), the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic, and other authorized traffic enforcement agencies to apprehend and impound motorcycles of DBDOYC/Angkas if found operating on the streets as public utility vehicles,” the resolution read.
Violators should be imposed a fine of PHP6,000, and three-month impoundment of the motorcycle, and will be blacklisted from the application for franchises.
In a two-page order dated Dec. 5, the SC’s 2nd Division ruled in favor of a petition filed by the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation, seeking to stop the operations of Angkas run by DBDOYC, Inc.
The LTFRB earlier announced a crackdown against the motorcycle-hailing app for lack of necessary franchise to operate and elevated the case to the SC, following a writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 213 last August in favor of Angkas.
