LTFRB orders law enforcers to apprehend Angkas riders, impound motorcycles

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday issued an order mobilizing law enforcement units to apprehend drivers and operators of motorcycle ride-sharing service Angkas and impound their vehicles.

The decision was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and Board Member Ronaldo Corpus during a special session.

The Supreme Court  has blocked the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) from implementing its directive that stopped the government from interfering in the business of DBDOYC Inc.—the company behind the app-based motorcycle ride-hailing service Angkas.

“The Board hereby orders the law enforcement unit of this Board as well as directs the LTO (Land Transportation Office), 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 LTFRB said in Board Resolution No. 095 Series of 2018.

LOOK: LTFRB’s order to apprehend Angkas bikers, following SC TRO | via @Ted_Cordero pic.twitter.com/WL0ELDq6tx

— GMA News (@gmanews) December 12, 2018

In September, the Mandaluyong RTC allowed Angkas to resume operations pending a final decision from industry regulators. The court prevented the LTFRB and the DOTr from “interfering, whether directly or indirectly, with the petitioner’s operations.”

Angkas operates in Manila, Makati, Pasig, Pasay, and Taguig, as well as in the areas of Balintawak, Eastwood, Katipunan, Monumento, New Manila, , Quezon City Circle, San Juan, SM North, and South Triangle.

Fares start at P50 for the first 2 kilometers, and P10 for every succeeding kilometer, but prices may vary based on demand.

In a statement, Angkas said the TRO puts the livelihood of 25,000 biker-partners at risk.

“This comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of commuters need the Angkas service to beat the worsening holiday traffic,” Angkas head of operations David Medrana said in a separate statement.

Medrana added that Angkas is hopeful that the Supreme Court will “eventually rule in favor of the Filipino riding public.” —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News