Grab Philippines on Wednesday said a man who boarded a Grab PH vehicle and proceeded to rob and rape the car's female passenger last week did not use the app.

A TV Patrol report earlier said the victim, a Vietnamese national, hailed a ride via Grab last September 5 but was surprised when the driver allowed another passenger to board the vehicle. The second passenger then proceeded to take all her cash amounting to P35,000 plus her cellphone before raping her inside the cab.

The driver then dropped her off in Paranaque. 

Police arrested the driver in Cabuyao, Laguna last Saturday based on CCTV footage of the vehicle and the license he presented to security while picking up the passenger. The victim's cellphone was found inside the cab.

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Grab Philippines director for public affairs Booey Bonifacio said the Grab driver, identified only as Andy, has been permanently banned from using the app.

"Unang-una, naging permanently banned na yung driver base po sa police investigation na ginawa ng SPD. Meron admission 'yung driver na may role siya sa insidente," she said. 

Bonifacio said none of the 3 on board the vehicle - driver, accomplice and victim - seemed to have used the GrabShare function of the Grab ride-hailing app, which allows users heading in similar directions to share a ride for lower fares.

“Base sa police investigation, it would seem that way, parang may pinasakay ‘yung driver. While it’s true that we have a GrabShare para may ka-share ka doon sa cost o pamasahe, pwede pa kayo mag pickup…In this case, hindi ganun ang nangyari," she said.

“Nakakalungkot po isipin na may kausap 'yung driver na ipasakay. May intensyon talaga ‘yung driver na ganun talaga ang gawin."

Police said the Grab driver involved in the crime remains in custody. Grab Philippines has no information about the driver's accomplice, who has been identified only as alyas Pogi. 

The Grab official said the company has reached out to the victim, who she said wants her privacy at this time. 

She assured passengers that their safety is Grab Philippines' number 1 priority. 

“Nais kong tiyakin na ang number 1 naming priority ay safety ng lahat ng gumagamit ng platform, whether pasahero ito o driver. Safety po talaga ang unang-una naming tinitignan mula sa pagtanggap ng driver sa platform duon namin sila sinusuri bago sila mag onboard sa platform. Mahigpit ang driver assessment,” she said. 

Grab drivers undergo background checks and are required to submit police clearances, she said. They are also trained on gender sensitivity.

Bonifacio also encouraged Grab users to use a safety feature on the app that allows them to send an SOS to a customer service agent and PNP hotline if they feel they are in danger.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said Grab Philippines could face sanctions including suspension or a fine if proven that the company bears some responsibility for what happened. 

LTFRB Chairman Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said the agency has given Grab Philippines 5 days to explain what happened before it renders a decision. Authorities have also reached out to the victim. 

"Kung mayroong may kasalanan, mananagot po. Posibleng mapatawan ng suspension 'yung app company kapag nakita naming may kapabayaan."

"Pwedeng masuspinde ang kanilang app for at least 30 days sa first offense kung makita namin na may kapabayaan pero gagawin 'yan as a matter of due process pagkatapos makuha ang facts nung kaso at madetermine kung meron silang kapabayaan."

Told that thousands of passengers could suffer if the Grab app is suspended, he said the LTFRB could also impose a fine.

"Pwede ring penalty. Pag mumultahin. Pero mas maganda yung suspension to drive the message to everybody na dapat you have a big responsibility being the biggest TNC company in the country."