A recent incident involving a Grab driver and a Vietnamese woman has sparked an investigation by Philippine authorities.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of the Philippines has stated that Grab could face a suspension of at least 30 days if found negligent or in violation of customer protection regulations.
Grab, currently the leading ride-hailing app in the Philippines, has five days to explain the incident.
The company has pledged to cooperate with the investigation following allegations made by a Vietnamese woman who used their service in Panaraque, near Manila, on September 5, 2024. The woman accused the Grab driver of robbery and sexual assault.
According to the victim, she was surprised when the Grab driver picked up an additional passenger. This passenger then robbed her of 35,000 Philippine pesos (approximately 624 USD) and her mobile phone before sexually assaulting her in the vehicle.
The police immediately arrested the driver, who was attempting to flee to the nearby province of Laguna, after the incident was reported.
The police department revealed that the 32-year-old victim was a tourist in the Philippines. She had booked the Grab ride in a residential area at 4 a.m. when the streets were relatively empty.
Police Chief Hazel Asilo disclosed that the Grab driver circled the area before picking up another man, the suspected accomplice, who then held the victim at knifepoint during the robbery and assault.
Asilo identified the driver as “Andy,” who was arrested on September 7, while the accomplice, known as “Pogi,” remains at large.
Law enforcement recovered the victim’s mobile phone and the vehicle involved in the incident. They also discovered that the suspect wore a wig to disguise his baldness and hide his true identity from the victim.
According to Asilo, this criminal may have committed similar acts in the past but evaded prosecution until this recent incident.
After committing the crime, the driver canceled the Grab trip to make it seem like a canceled ride. However, the police were able to trace him through surveillance cameras and security checkpoint logs in the area.
Teofilo Guadiz, Chairman of LTFRB
Grab has since banned the driver from their platform and stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy and extremely strict regulations regarding any misconduct on their platform.
“We urge passengers to be cautious when using ride-hailing apps. Always verify the driver’s identity, share your trip details with a trusted contact, and remain vigilant throughout your journey to ensure your safety,” warned Teofilo Guadiz, Chairman of LTFRB.
Following the incident, Grab has reached out to the victim to offer necessary assistance and support.
*Source: SCMP
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