In a jeepney, Angela, a passenger, was injured because of the flammable material brought by Antonette, another passenger. Antonette denied her baggage to be inspected invoking her right to privacy. Should the jeepney operator be held liable for damages?

 

No. The operator is not liable for damages. In overland transportation, the common carrier is not bound nor empowered to make an examination on the contents of packages or bags, particularly those handcarried by passengers. (Nocum v. Laguna Tayabas Bus Company, G.R. No. L-23733, Oct. 31, 1969)