The Airport Police Department (APD) of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has strongly recommended arriving passengers to select only transport vehicles accredited by the operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This recommendation is aimed at protecting travelers from potential scams, overcharging, and unlicensed operators who may not adhere to safety regulations.
This comes in light of a recent incident where a taxi driver charged a passenger at least P1,200 for a brief trip from NAIA Terminal 2 to Terminal 3.
"What I would like to remind our passengers is to choose only accredited transport vehicles. Your safety is important. It would be better to choose the right vehicle," Airport Police chief Levi Jose said.
Jose explained that it would be very hard to locate unscrupulous drivers who take advantage of unsuspecting passengers, "but fortunately, most of the suspects have been arrested and charged in court."
The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) confirmed that the taxi involved in the overcharging of taxi fares is not among the accredited transport providers authorized to pick up passengers at the country's main gateway.
The NNIC said that only accredited Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) such as Grab and Joyride Super Taxi are allowed to pick up passengers at NAIA.
These two accredited transport services operate from a centralized hub at Terminal 3.
"For Terminals 1 and 2, passengers are advised to use only official, accredited transport services with transport booths at the arrival curbside."
NNIC added that metered taxis are allowed entry strictly for drop-offs, to ensure public access to the airport, but they are not allowed to solicit or accept passengers.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines, in coordination with NNIC, ordered Airport Police Mobile Patrol to conduct intensive monitoring on all non-accredited taxis plying within NAIA complex and to hold on all colorum taxis at the airport searching for possible victims, whether they be local or foreign tourists.
On the other hand, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon last Monday ordered the relief of five airport police involved in the alleged 60/40 extortion scheme against taxi drivers at the NAIA.
He also ordered the MIAA to investigate the extortion scheme.
The investigation was prompted by a Taxihub Transport driver's revelation of a 60/40 extortion scheme allegedly imposed by airport police, in which taxi drivers are forced to surrender a portion of their earnings - leading them to overcharge passengers at the airport to make up for the loss.
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