Trikes are ubiquitous in the Philippines, serving as affordable transportation. However, their adaptability has led to innovative uses, particularly in rural and urban settings where formal security services may be limited. The Trike Patrol 40, established in 2018, organizes 40-member groups of volunteer drivers and patrollers who conduct routine checks for crime, traffic violations, and public emergencies. Equipped with two-way radios and basic safety tools, these patrols act as an invisible shield, fostering a sense of collective vigilance.
In the Philippines, the tricycle (motorcycle with a sidecar) is the king of short-distance travel. It navigates narrow alleys, flooded streets, and mountain barangays where jeepneys and buses cannot go. filipina trike patrol 40 globe twatters 2023 free
In early 2023, Super Typhoon Mawar (local name Betty) devastated parts of Northern Luzon and the Visayas. Internet cables were down, cell towers lost power, and isolated communities had no way to request aid or contact loved ones. Trikes are ubiquitous in the Philippines, serving as
Each trike covers 8–10 kilometers of off-grid roads. They stop at: They set up a “Free Wi-Fi Zone” for
They set up a “Free Wi-Fi Zone” for 30 minutes, allowing residents to message relatives, download weather updates, and file reports to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The phrase “twatters” drew mockery online, but the community reclaimed it. Merchandise sold to fund the patrol featured a cartoon tricycle with the text: “We twatter for your safety.”
At 6 AM, the 40 women gather at the Barangay Hall in Infanta, Quezon (one of the pilot areas). They check their Globe modems, charge devices, and plan routes.