‘Good Samaritan’ Grab driver shot dead by carnappers

A Grab driver, earlier hailed as a "good Samaritan" for helping a passenger undergoing dialysis, was shot dead and his vehicle stolen by still unidentified suspects who posed as regular passengers.

According to a statement from the transport network vehicle service, the victim, identified as Gerardo Amolato Maquidato Jr, was killed on Thursday along Bonanza Street in Pasay.

Initial police reports said that a witness heard a gunshot at around 7:50 p.m., then saw a lifeless man pushed out of a silver Toyota Innova. The suspects fled using their victim's vehicle.

Maquidato's nephew, Rex Mer Solitario, posted online about his uncle's death. Grab confirmed that Maquidato was a registered driver-partner in the company.

Grab also recalled Maquidato as a "good samaritan" and one of their driver awardees.

It said that Maquidato went viral and was praised by thousands for giving a courtesy ride to a sick passenger.

A certain Divine Lactao Ornum booked a GrabCar for her sister, Prima, who was on her way to Quezon City to pick up bags of blood for her dialysis. Maquidato picked her up but did not ask for payment for the trip out of kindness.

The company said it was already working with the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group to resolve the recent series of carnapping incidents involving their vehicles.

"Grab has taken steps in working on a tech solution that would decrease, if not completely hamper, the chances of carnapping incidents involving Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) – that have apparently been the latest target of lawless elements," it said.

"We encourage our driver-partners to be vigilant, and to use 911 hotline for emergency cases," it added. — MDM, GMA News