PNP eyes tighter safeguards for motorcycle taxi riders

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is coordinating with ride-hailing companies and other concerned agencies to strengthen safety measures for motorcycle taxi riders following two recent fatal attacks.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allan Rae Co said authorities are exploring ways to improve the safety of motorcycle taxi riders, similar to existing measures designed to protect passengers.

“Alam naman po natin, ‘di ba… ang naka-setup na po na system is for the protection of the passengers… with the new trend na nangyari nga po ito nakita po natin na lalo natin palakasin din dapat not only for the passengers but [also for] the riders themselves,” Co said.

(We all know that the current system is set up for the protection of passengers. But with this new trend, we see that we must also strengthen protections—not only for passengers, but for the riders themselves.)

Co said proposed safeguards include measures to verify passengers' identities and establish their legitimacy from the start of the booking process.

“We will be actively participating sa discussion po together with relevant companies and agencies… Ang hinahabol po ng inyong Philippine National Police ay preventive measures at proactive measures, instead of just solving,” Co said.

(We will be actively participating in discussions together with the relevant companies and agencies. What the Philippine National Police is pursuing are preventive and proactive measures, instead of merely solving crimes after they happen.)

“Sana naman po makita rin natin ‘yun ngang pagpapakalat natin ng kapulisan at ‘yung walang humpay na follow-up ay nagli-lead naman po sa pag-solve ng mga krimen na ito,” he added.

(We hope the public also sees that our police deployments and relentless follow-up operations are helping lead to the resolution of these crimes.)

On July 14, a motorcycle taxi rider was robbed and stabbed with an ice pick by his passenger in Caloocan City. He was rushed to a hospital but later died.

In another incident reported by GMA News on July 15, a motorcycle taxi rider was robbed and killed by a passenger who had booked a trip from Manila to Cavite. The suspect also allegedly extorted money from the victim's wife and sibling.

According to Co, two suspects linked to the attacks on the motorcycle taxi riders are now in custody and facing criminal charges.—MCG, GMA News