Cop nabs erring taxi driver

CEBU, Philippines — Taxi drivers should better behave because the passenger they are overcharging might just be an undercover Highway Patrol Group (HPG)-7 officer.

This is the lesson learned the hard way by “Bebot”, 52, of Brgy. Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City, who was apprehended yesterday for charging P150 for a trip from Pier 1 to the Cebu City Sports Center instead of the metered fare of around P75.

His passenger turned out to be an HPG-7 officer who was part of a dedicated team instructed by their chief, Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, to conduct monitoring and surveillance activities against unscrupulous taxi drivers.

“This is a clear warning sa tanang mga taxi driver, and to include operators, nga dili sila mag-overprice, considering nga we have already a lot of personnel, not only the HPG (operatives) but from the entire Region 7,” Parilla said.

The operation is in response to the alleged overcharging committed by two taxi drivers against Palarong Pambansa delegation members.

As reported, one of the taxi drivers charged a fare of P2,500 for a trip from SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties to Carcar City, while the other driver charged Palaro guests P950 for a trip from the pier area to Danao City.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 earlier said in a press statement, that the penalty for overcharging is a fine of P5,000 for first offense; P10,000 for second offense, and P15,000 for third offense.

Parilla said their operation against what Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia called as “bad eggs” among the taxi drivers would continue throughout the duration of Palarong Pambansa, which closes on July 16.

There is an increased demand for taxi services because aside from the presence of around 20,000 Palaro visitors, who are unfamiliar with Cebu City and would likely take taxis, it is already the rainy season, which increases the desire for people to ride taxis to avoid the rain.

Parilla said it is crucial that Cebu keeps its reputation as a welcoming city by going after taxi drivers who take advantage of their passengers.

As part of the campaign, HPG-7 already met with taxi operators to remind them that the police are monitoring their taxi drivers’ activities, particularly on overcharging of fares.

As to Bebot, he claimed it was his first time to do so. He said he got the idea from motorcycle-for-hire drivers who charge the same amount for such a distance.

“Nisunod ko sa habal-habal, nga kung unsa toy gipangayo sa iyaha (undercover policeman), mao ra pud toy gipangayo nako sa iyaha,” he said.

HPG-7, though, already filed a report on his offense with LTO-7 to determine Bebot’s administrative penalty.

A separate report will also be forwarded to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the penalties that would be imposed on the operator and the franchise. (CEBU NEWS)