Authorities warn passengers booking rides on social media groups

Given the difficulty of booking through ride-hailing apps during the holiday season, some passengers resort to looking for their rides on Facebook groups for faster transactions.

However, authorities warn that both passengers and drivers could be in danger of becoming victims of abuse and crime.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," in a Facebook group, passengers can post their pick-up location and destination to get a ride.

“Mas convenient po na mag-post ka po sa Facebook group, mabilis ka po makakakuha ng rider. Less than 5 minutes po nakakuha na ako ng rider," a passenger said.

According to a driver, the income is higher than what he earns through legitimate ride-hailing apps because he gets the full amount of the fare.

Meanwhile, a call center agent, shared a harrowing experience from a driver in one of her rides.

“After po nung may nag-ride kami, kinabukasan na po yun tinanong niya ako kung nasa work po ba ako, kung day off ko raw po. Tapos sabi niya, sasakay ka mamaya? Gusto mo mag-sex tayo, libre na sakay mo, sabi niya,” she shared.

Since she booked the ride only through the Facebook group, she said could not report the incident to any ride-hailing company.

A driver said they could also become victims of crime due to lack of means to know who their passengers are.

“May nag-kontrata sa kaniya tapos yung sasakyan kinuha, tinapon siya, patay, don sa Cavite, delikado, kasi hindi namin kilala yung mga mag-aarkila,” a driver said.

According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the scheme is strictly prohibited by law and dangerous for passengers since they have no protection and insurance when an incident occurs.

“Ang multa po sa mga van po na nangongolorum o nag-o-operate na wala pong prangkisa ay may karampatang multa po na P200,000 at pagkaka-impound po ng unit,” said Jocelyn Tataro, officer-in-charge of LTFRB Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division.

“Kapag po naaksidente ‘yung ganyang unit na sinakyan po ng isang pasahero, wala po siyang kaukulang insurance coverage as a public utility vehicle, so yung pasahero hindi po sila makaka-claim ng insurance," she added.

The LTFRB said it is already investigating the said Facebook group.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News