The Motorcycle Taxi Community urged the government for stronger safeguards for motorcycle taxi riders.
“Buntis po ang asawa ko. Huwag n’yo po akong sanang saktan.”
“Kunin n’yo na ang lahat sa akin—’wag lang ang aking buhay. Hinihintay po ako ng mga anak kong umuwi nang ligtas.”
These messages, attached to motorcycle helmets of motorcycle taxi riders, have circulated online as they expressed fears over the dangers they face while working on the road.
One post shared by Threads user @dyokari featured an Angkas rider with a message taped to the back of his helmet. Similar photos soon spread across the platform, showing riders displaying printed and handwritten appeals for safety.
The posts drew thousands of reactions, with users expressing heartbreak and concern.
“Nakakadurog ng puso. Yung right to life, binebeg na ng mga nagtatrabaho nang marangal,” one user wrote, while another commented, “Binebeg na pala ngayon yung safety? Grabe, ‘no?”
Others shared that the images prompted them to pray for the riders they encountered on the road.
The messages gained traction amid renewed concerns over the safety of motorcycle riders following the deaths of riders Fabio Norberte Jr. and Ren Ren De Laviga, who were reportedly attacked after accepting passenger bookings.
On July 16, the Philippine National Police reported a 20.6% decline in nationwide focus crimes during the second quarter of 2026. It attributed the decrease to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safer Cities Initiative.
Despite the reported decline in crimes such as murder, robbery, theft, physical injury, rape, and motorcycle carnapping, the viral helmet messages highlighted continued concerns over the risks faced by workers who rely on the road for their livelihood.
Motorcycle Taxi Community Chairman Romeo Maglunsod urged the government for stronger safeguards for motorcycle taxi riders, including the immediate passage of the Motorcycle Taxi Bill with clear provisions for their safety and welfare.
The incidents also renewed calls for broader protections for platform workers. Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno has pushed for the passage of the Protektadong Online Workers, Employees, Riders, at Raketera Bill and the ratification of ILO Convention No. 193, which seek to strengthen workplace safety, expand social protection, and hold online platforms accountable for risks faced by workers.
“Hindi disposable ang riders,” Diokno said. “Kapag nasaktan sila habang kumikita para sa platform, dapat may bayad, benepisyo, at pananagutan ang kumpanya.”
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