The Philippine National Police (PNP) is crafting measures to further strengthen requests for assistance and other crime-related concerns of the ride-hailing services community following the death of a ride-hailing service driver in Taguig City.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said there is a need to strengthen the protection of the Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) partners due to the risk they face every day that comes with the nature of their job.
“We have to maintain a strong partnership and ensure a reliable communication line for the safety and peace and order-related concerns of those in the TNVS community,” said Nartatez, describing the TNVS community as one of the prime movers of the country’s economy.
He issued the statement following the hold-up and stabbing of a TNVS driver in Taguig City which went viral on social media.
The victim was killed in Barangay Calzada-Tipas, Taguig City past 3 a.m. on March 11. The CCTV footage showed the driver staggering and calling for help. The Taguig City Police said the person who booked the driver was the mastermind, and three accomplices connived with the former to carry out the crime.
A few hours after the crime, two accomplices were arrested and are now facing robbery with homicide charges at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Meanwhile, a minor linked to the primary suspect was turned over to police by the parents.
Follow-up operations are ongoing to locate the primary suspect, who is said to be the leader of a motorcycle-riding gang whose modus is to steal motorcycles.
Nartatez said the TNVS community is a partner in peace and order by serving as eyes and ears on the streets on criminal incidents and against criminal elements,
He said the PNP has been intensifying patrols and presence in high-risk areas as part of the security measures, “We are also strengthening our coordination with force multipliers like the barangay tanod and volunteers to ensure that every corner is monitored, especially during the ‘dead hours’ of the night.”
The PNP said it is also coordinating with TNVS platforms in coming up with measures to flag suspicious bookings and provide safety protocols to their drivers.