Philippines investigates Grab over alleged rape, robbery of Vietnamese woman in car

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.