Motorcycle company Angkas on Friday took down its recent advertisement that spurred criticisms among netizens on social media due to its problematic message, and sincerely apologized to its community who got offended.
On Thursday, Angkas posted an advertisement that promotes the discount code "ANGKASDADDY".
The graphic of the ad shows a woman stuck in a hole in the roof of a car, and the text above it stated that “Stepdad, I’m stuck (in traffic)”.
“What are you doing stepdad??” Angkas captioned in the post.
The following day, transport advocate Reycel Hyacinth Bendaña raised that the advertisement was bad as she pointed out that that Angkas, a male-led and male-dominated company, seemed to be “promoting incest and unhealthy sexual power dynamics.”
Dalhin kong twitter kasi nakakaimbyerna kayo ang aga-aga @angkas
— Reycel Hyacenth Nacario Bendaña (@hyabendana) June 9, 2023
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
According to Bendaña, the ride-hailing app’s ad team should have conducted its research first about the high sexual assault among women and girls by stepfathers in the country.
She then reached out to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Angkas, and the advertisement was taken down afterward.
In a statement, Angkas expressed its regret to its community members who got offended by the post.
“It was not our intention, nor will ever support or permit even the slightest disregard of women’s rights and dignity,” it said.
“We won’t always get things done perfectly, but we in Angkas will always listen to our community,” the ride-hailing company said, adding that they will serve its community with utmost honesty, humility, and respect.
— Angkas (@angkas) June 9, 2023
