PRANKSTERS and hackers abound these days, amid the pandemic. Yes, not a good time really playing around victimizing people who are only out to earn a living in these trying times by delivering food items.
But before the actual delivery, the dastardly act is first committed by perpetrators by placing an order of this and that food item, paid for in advance by the hapless delivery guy.
Payment of which all came from his own pocket, hoping it would grow by at least a 5% markup in the form of a delivery service charge.
And when the order goes south or turns out to be a prank, it's him who becomes the biggest victim.
It’s the hapless delivery guy who is only trying to eke out a living in these trying times amid the pandemic where a lot of our kababayans have been displaced from their former jobs and have resorted to the food delivery business.
But of all places, the Tanauan City Hall has seemingly become a favorite “punching bag” by pranksters in the province among LGUs.
Its official FB page also got hacked early this year.
“We have been victimized five times before by bogus orders,” Tanauan CIO chief Gerry Laresma says.
As such, a thorough investigation has already been ordered by Mayor Angeline “Sweet” Halili to get into the bottom of it.
Disgusting could yet be a kind word to call it but pranksters should stop this dastardly act for it's not the city hall they are making fun of rather, the damage actually falls on the shoulders of ordinary people who are only out to earn a living the honest and decent way.
Senator Win Gatchalian also fell victim to this nefarious activity that hastened the approval of a bill seeking to criminalize “hoax ordering” in a bid to protect delivery riders.
It was filed by the Senate trade committee chaired by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
The proposed law seeks to criminalize several prohibited acts, such as placing of “hoax orders,” cancellation of confirmed orders, and refusal to receive unpaid orders.
Incidents of fake booking and hoax orders are quite alarming.
And these acts must be criminalized.