Philippines investigates Grab over alleged rape, robbery of Vietnamese woman in car
The ride-hailing app, which faces 30-day suspension if found negligent, has banned the driver from the platform
Philippine regulators are investigating the alleged robbery and sexual assault of a Vietnamese woman who booked a car ride via Grab Holdings Ltd.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said the nation’s top ride-hailing app may be suspended for at least 30 days if it’s found negligent. Grab has been given five days to explain, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
Grab said it will cooperate in the probe.
A Vietnamese woman on September 5 took a Grab ride in the Philippine capital and was surprised when the driver allowed another passenger to board the vehicle, ABS-CBN News reported.
The passenger took her cash worth 35,000 pesos (US$624) and mobile phone before raping her inside the car, the report said. The police have arrested the driver in neighbouring Laguna province, according to the report.
Grab’s Philippine unit, in a statement on Thursday, said it will work closely with the police and the transport agency to determine further steps to ensure passenger safety.