LTFRB clears taxi driver

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) cleared a taxi driver of accusations that he is a member of a syndicate engaged in illegal activities.

Bernardo Rabago, driver of Rose Taxi with body number 2193, was accused by a store owner of being a member of the “budol-budol” gang reportedly in connivance with his passengers.

Rabago executed an affidavit and denied the accusation of Marita Romano Geraldo, who posted notices in her store. The notices were also spread in social networking sites and through text messages.

LTFRB 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said the information even reached their head office in Manila. This prompted him to summon the taxi operator for an explanation.

Cuizon was told that while Geraldo and her children were manning their store along Salinas Drive in barangay Lahug, the taxi unit driven by Rabago stopped and his passenger disembarked to buy some bottles of beer.

Geraldo said the passenger gave her a P1,000-bill as payment for the beer and took the change.

The taxi driver confirmed that after his male passenger received the change from Geraldo, he decided to return the beer saying it’s too expensive.

But when Geraldo counted the money given back to her by the passenger, it lacked P500. But Rabago’s taxi had already left although they were able to take note of the body number.

The incident prompted Geraldo to post a notice outside of her store warning the public against the modus.

   The notice read: “Pagbantay sa Rose Taxi Body # 2193 Budol-budol ang iya style basi’g kamo ang sunod nga biktima. Gibiktima ko adtong June 18 at 11:30 p.m.”

Cuizon said when the case was investigated at the Cebu City Police Theft and Robbery Section, Geraldo apologized to the taxi operator because there was no proof that Rabago connived with his passenger. (FREEMAN)