Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the relief of five airport police involved in the alleged 60/40 extortion scheme against taxi drivers at the country’s main gateway.
Dizon likewise ordered the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to investigate the extortion scheme, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to government workers to serve the Filipinos and not to abuse their authority.
“Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng Pangulo na dapat hindi natin pinapahirapan ang mga kababayan natin,” the transport chief said.
“Immediate proceedings na ito for termination.”
“Ipapasuspende na natin itong mga ito. Tapos immediate proceedings na ito for termination,” the transport head added.
The investigation was prompted by a Taxihub 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.
“Ang nagpapatakbo ng raket dito ay ‘yung airport police.”
“According dun sa kwento ni Felix [Taxihub] ang nagpapatakbo ng raket dito ay ‘yung airport police. Sila ang nagiimpose ng mahal na rate at dun sa mamahaling rate na ‘yun kumukuha sila ng 40-percent kaya ang naghihirap ‘yung mga pasahero natin,” Dizon said.
“Pagka hindi ka sumunod at nagcharge ka ng mababa at hindi nagremit nung hinihingi nila, either huhulihin ka o hindi ka papapasukin ng airport,” he added.
Due to these unscrupulous acts, the country’s tourism will be severely affected, Dizon explained.
“Malaki ang epekto nito sa turismo natin,” he stressed.
