Grab offers P.1 M for driver’s killers
Transport hailing firm Grab Philippines has offered a P100,000 reward for any information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects in the killing of one of its “model” drivers.
Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu said they are working with law enforcement officers to bring justice to Gerardo Maquidato Jr., who was killed by suspects who posed as passengers in Pasay City last week.
“I think it’s within our responsibility to do whatever we can (so we can catch the) perpetrator (of this crime),” Cu said in a social media post on Sunday.
“We will continue working with the police authorities on this matter… I want the coward brought to justice as swiftly as possible,” he added.
Maquidato, who earlier earned praise online for not accepting payment from a sick passenger, was shot dead last Oct. 26 while driving his silver Toyota Innova with plate number YV 7109.
His body was dumped along a street in Pasay City by the suspects, who carjacked the vehicle after the incident.
Cu said they are using their technology to help authorities solve the killing.
“We have the data. We know where you passed through, where you dropped off,” he said in Filipino.
Details of the suspects have yet to be released so as not to jeopardize the investigation, according to Grab in an earlier statement.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) spokesperson Aileen Lizada said they have forwarded to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) details of the trip for monitoring on their closed-circuit television cameras.
“LTFRB has reached out to both Uber and Grab to be able to come up with suggestions on their end (on) how to protect their respective (drivers),” added Lizada.
“Whatever the suggestions of Grab and Uber, the board will be coming up with a decision as to what proposal will be undertaken in coordination with law enforcement agencies such as (the Highway Patrol Group),” the LTFRB official said.
Suggestions include taking images of the passengers and sending the location of the drivers to their loved ones to track their locations.
“There are ups and down and strengths and weaknesses to both proposals so we need to have a dialogue with respective (companies) to hear their sides,” said Lizada, adding that this policy may also be applied with other transport services such as taxis to deter similar incidents.