By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) on Thursday said it has yet to receive proper guidance from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the apprehension of bikers of motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas, whose operations were ordered suspended by the Supreme Court (SC).
“Wala pa namang official request (ang) (There is no official request yet from the) LTFRB. We first need to coordinate with LTFRB on what grounds, fines and other penalties (to impose) as LTFRB is the lead agency in (the) franchise of Angkas,” Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo, HPG director told reporters.
In Board Resolution No. 095, LTFRB 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.
In an order dated Dec. 5 and released Wednesday, the High Court ruled in favor of a petition filed by the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) seeking to stop the operations of Angkas run by DBDOYC Inc.
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 Regional Trial Court Branch 213 last August in favor of Angkas.
