Taxi driver arrested for overcharging OFW at NAIA

Manila—-Airport security personnel  arrested a taxi driver after he victimized a newly-arrived Filipino domestic worker from Saudi Arabia at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

Airport police Inspector Rhoderic Mejia, officer-in-charge of the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), identified the suspect as Jesus Pingol,  driver of a white Lyngail taxi with plate number UVM 524.

Mejia said they were conducting an operation against overcharging taxi drivers when they received a report that a Lyngail taxi driver victimized a domestic worker at around 6:00 am on Friday (June 29) .

Mejia identified the victim as Michelle Dasalla, who had worked as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect allegedly charged Dasalla  500 Saudi Riyals (around P7,000), or equivalent to half of the victim’s monthly salary, for a ride from NAIA Terminal 2 to Balintawak, Quezon City.

Mejia said they launched a manhunt operation that resulted in the arrest of the taxi driver, who at first denied the allegation.

But during his interrogation, Pingol admitted the offense and agreed to return the P7,000 to the IID official, who later turned it over to the husband of the victim.

The victim was reportedly distressed when she arrived in Manila due to her abusive employer in Saudi Arabia.

Mejia said the suspect was charged with overcharging and MIAA banned all taxi units of Lyngail from entering NAIA terminals.