Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault, incest, and rape

The hilarious social media strategy of motorcycle-hailing app Angkas has always drawn a lot of attention, and it’s usually the positive kind, with netizens flooding it with equally funny comments and LOL reactions. But this time, netizens did not find anything hilarious with Angkas’ most recent ad.

Angkas’ problematic ad

On the night of June 8, Angkas posted a social media card of a girl stuck in a car while crying. The illustration was accompanied with a text that read “Stepdad, I’m stuck (in traffic)” and a caption that said “what are you doing stepdad.”

According to redditor Cheesetorian, the post may have been in reference to a common storyline in porn movies.

Backlash

On Twitter, Move As One member Hya Bendaña shared a screenshot of Angkas’ post, calling them out for the “bad ad.”

“You’re a male-led and male-dominated company promoting incest and unhealthy sexual power dynamics in an ad. Umayos nga kayo,” she continued, referring to Angkas CEO George Royeca and the higher number of male riders in Angkas’ roster.

Dalhin kong twitter kasi nakakaimbyerna kayo ang aga-aga @angkas

This is a bad ad. You’re a male-led and male-dominated company promoting incest and unhealthy sexual power dynamics in an ad.

Umayos nga kayo. pic.twitter.com/59ynuoMKzz

— Reycel Hyacenth Nacario Bendaña (@hyabendana) June 9, 2023

Her post quickly gained traction, with more netizens expressing anger and disappointment over the problematic post.

ang lakas naman ng incestuous tone ng ad. paan nakapasa sa copy ito?!? maybe it reflects on the culture of the company.

so, is Angkas safe especially for women?

— middlechild (@middlechild08) June 9, 2023

Angkas would really do everything except fix their goddamn app. Puro pa-cool, pag-book na pag-book mo naman, “Don’t give up on us baby” agad.

— SALVADOR DALI DE LEON (@Watdahel_MarceI) June 9, 2023

This isn’t even humor. Lahat dinadala sa joke until yung anak nilang babae, gf, asawa ang biktima. Mga lalaking to puro porno nasa utak kala nila nakakatuwa ganitong mga bagay.

— Digs⛑️ʕಠ_ಠʔ COUPJEONG (@digzzz23) June 9, 2023

Other netizens also pointed out how they don’t feel safe with Angkas riders. The motorcycle app already had previous issues with sexual harassment.

@angkas i sometimes don’t feel safe na nga sa ilang riders niyo tapos ganito ung company culture? BIG EW.

— pansweet canton 🏳️‍🌈 hapi pride! (@iiennne) June 9, 2023

According to Rappler’s 2017 report, incest is the second-most common form of sexual abuse in the Philippines, with incest rate pegged at 33%. During the pandemic, socio-civic groups warned of a rise of violence against women and children, with 807 incidents being recorded only within the first month and a half of lockdown, according to data by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

Deleted

The post has since been deleted. According to Bendaña, CEO George Royeca responded to her personal message calling out the ad.

Kuya George responded na to me friends and they took it down. Will wait for further actions if may statement or any other form of additional accountability ❤️

— Reycel Hyacenth Nacario Bendaña (@hyabendana) June 9, 2023

Sociologist Ash Presto also pointed out that there should be accountability on the company’s side. “The least you could do are raise awareness about incest rape, donate to NGOs tackling the issue. AND have diversity in your male-dominated company,” she added.

I’ve shared this on Facebook & saw that Angkas has just deleted the ad.@angkas, deleting is not enough. Have some accountability. The least you could do are raise awareness about incest rape, donate to NGOs tackling the issue,
AND have diversity in your male-dominated company.

— Ash Presto 💜 (@sosyolohija) June 9, 2023

Previous instances

This is not the first time Angkas’ social media has been called out for problematic posts. In 2019, PNP’s official Twitter account called out the company for a tweet that compared Angkas to sex.

This is not acceptable to commuters. Matatakot ang tao sa Angkas pag ganito. This is not promoting public safety in transport business anymore hen @LTFRB_Official @LTFRB. pic.twitter.com/pA63OeUJfw

— PNP Tweets (@PNPhotline) July 31, 2019

Another Twitter user also shared a screenshot of a previous Angkas promo code that alluded to a sexual matter.

This isn’t the first time that angkas has done a promotion based off of a sexual matter. They also had this “kanino ka lang” promotion from before. Do better, @angkas https://t.co/brbMqLmAuO pic.twitter.com/5M9bmX8HTi

— Hong 🫂 (@Hongskrrrt) June 9, 2023

No comment yet

As of writing, Angkas has yet to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, ride-hailing app Grab seems to have made the most of their competitor’s misstep.

Grab passive-aggressively dragging Angkas. https://t.co/U0Rf0SOeTi

— Demontitang Aczar mrsunlawyer@mas.to (@mrsunlawyer) June 9, 2023

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