Angkas operations stopped anew after SC issues TRO

ANGKAS is once again prohibited from operating, as the Supreme Court (SC) decision effectively allowed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to apprehend the motorcycle-hailing company’s bikers.

In a Dec. 5 resolution received by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) on Wednesday, the high court said it issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court’s decision that barred the LTFRB from interfering with the operations of Angkas.

The LTFRB has long maintained that Angkas should not be allowed to operate due to violations of traffic laws. But in September, the Mandaluyong RTC Branch 213 issued a preliminary injunction in favor of Angkas, which allowed it to operate again after it was shut down in November last year.

“Our position remains the same — motorcycles registered in the service are not authorized to conduct business and offer public transport under Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code). For them to be allowed, the law has to be amended by Congress,” the LTFRB said in a joint statement with the DoTr on Wednesday.

The LTFRB likewise issued a resolution late Wednesday commanding enforcers to apprehend and impound Angkas drivers found operating in the streets.

“We reiterate — safety is our priority. Following our laws is our priority. We will remain faithful to our mandate in giving commuters a safe and efficient mode of public transportation,” the LTFRB said.

In its official statement, Angkas said it maintains a “safety record of 99.997%,” which it said should be a “potential model for responsible traffic safety nationwide.

“We are saddened to hear that the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on an earlier court decision allowing Angkas to operate… We will continue our fight to serve commuters in a safe and efficient manner, as well as legitimizing our riders,” it added. —