Cebu City councilor wants motor taxi firm to probe, address alleged illicit bookings

File photo from Getty Images

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Illicit sexual bookings through a mobile application have reached the attention of the city’s councilor and traffic czar.

With this, Councilor Rey Gealon filed his proposed resolution on October 19, requesting a motorcycle-vehicle-for-hire or motor taxi and package delivery company to see what was happening on their app.

READ: Bill regulating motorcycle taxis, lifting cap on riders pushed

Motor taxi services

Gealon said in his proposed resolution that motor taxi services were integrated with mobile apps which would allow the users to request rides or delivery services, view estimated fares, and track the location of the driver.

“The driver and passenger can also communicate through the app via text or phone call for the sole purpose of only coordinating with the exact pickup details of the passenger and nothing else,” Gealon said.

The councilor also noted that motor taxi services were popular for their quick and efficient way to navigate through heavy traffic congestion.

READ: Gealon, new Traffic Management Committee chief: There’s a lot of work to do

Resolution to be presented yet

Gealon said he would be presenting this resolution to call the attention of this popular motor transportation or motor taxi company which could be accessible to commuters through its transport app.

CDN Digital is withholding the name of the motor transport or motor taxi because the resolution has yet to be presented to the City Council this Wednesday, October 25.

Gealon said that the motor transport company had freely allowed the feature where communication between the driver would be possible.

READ: House spots holes in prolonged study on motorcycle taxis

Address alleged sexual bookings

He urged the company to address issue on alleged illicit sexual bookings allegedly happening within their app or application.

“Such illicit bookings are alarming as it poses threat to the safety and security of riders, as they are earnestly working for a living, and do not need to be on the receiving end of any illicit sexual favors,” Gealon said.

He said that he had screenshots posted on Facebook showing the numerous requests of alleged illicit bookings where riders allegedly would be asked for sexual services instead of a rider or instead of a rider doing a delivery service.

/dbs