DOTr: Angkas should comply with Supreme Court TRO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation, in a strongly worded statement on Thursday, said motorcycle-hailing service Angkas should follow a Supreme Court restraining order on a Mandaluyong court injunction that has allowed the service to operate since September.

READ: Court allows Angkas to resume operations

"The DOTr, LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) and LTO (Land Transportation Office) respectfully complied with the order of the lower court. Angkas, on the other hand, continues to brazenly defy the order of the Supreme Court,” the DOTr said in a statement on Thursday.

The DOTr said that the issue is “not about the perpetual prohibition of motorcycles from serving as public transport” but about “following the orders of the Supreme Court.” 

In a board resolution earlier this month, following the Supreme Court order, the LTFRB directed its law enforcement units and other authorized traffic enforcement agencies to apprehend and impound motorcycles of Angkas.

READ: LTFRB resumes crackdown on Angkas drivers

The LTFRB earlier said motorcycles are barred from being used for public transportation under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Violators will be fined P6,000 and their motorcycles will be impounded for three months. Angkas, however, said it would assist riders apprehended by traffic enforcers.

According to latest reports, at least 44 riders have been apprehended since the crackdown began.

Thousands of riders joined a “unity ride” on EDSA last Sunday to protest the Supreme Court’s order and other alleged policies they said were discriminatory against motorcycle riders.

READ: Riders protest 'discrimination' vs motorcyclists, Angkas crackdown

But despite the strong words used in the statement, the DOTr said they were willing to "talk" and "listen" to riders.

In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, has taken up cudgels for motorcycle-for-hire services despite the legal issues.

Osmeña said on Tuesday he would file a petition at the Supreme Court on behalf of the riding public to allow the city to regulate motorcycles-for-hire instead of totally banning them, saying that motorcycles provide an important service for residents living in upland barangays of his city that are inaccessible to public transportation.

READ: Osmeña to ask SC to let Cebu City regulate motorcycles-for-hire

Angkas maintained that they would operate until the Supreme Court decides with finality on the legality of using motorcycles as a form of public transportation.

A Supreme Court insider told The STAR on Monday that Angkas could be held in contempt for defying the TRO.

Angkas is currently circulating an online petition and will hold a concert on December 22 in a bid to save the service.