Philippine officials seek to shut down motorcycle ride-sharing firm founded by Singaporean

A police officer watches as workers from motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas take part in a protest against the government's directive cutting some 17,000 workers during a pilot run, in Manila, on Dec 22, 2019. PHOTO: AFP
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MANILA - Transport officials on Monday (Jan 20) sought to shut down the Philippines' largest motorcycle ride-sharing firm, founded and helmed by a Singaporean, as they abruptly terminated a pilot programme meant to ascertain the safe use of motorcycles as taxis.

But lawmakers have criticised the move which cast a pall over the future of Angkas, its over 27,000 riders and the hundreds of thousands of commuters who depend on them daily to cut through Manila's soul-crushing traffic.

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