LTFRB imposes ID system for cabbies

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has imposed a mandatory identification (ID) system for taxi drivers in Metro Manila amid the increasing number of robberies involving cabbies. 

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the board yesterday issued a memorandum circular requiring taxi operators to submit a list of their authorized drivers to the board’s Information and System Management Division before Jan. 15 next year.

Ginez said taxi operators who do not comply with the circular will pay a fine of P5,000.

Taxi drivers will not be allowed to drive their units without the ID cards issued by their operators.

The cabbies must display their IDs in the rear view mirror of the cab or face penalty.

“We need to act to protect the riding public from these criminals disguised as taxi drivers,” Ginez said.

He also noted the rising number of complaints against discourteous, arrogant and dishonest cabbies.

‘Abusive airport cop’

Meanwhile, authorities have identified the policeman caught on video smashing the window of a cab after its driver refused to hand over his license at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 last Friday.

NAIA media affairs division head Connie Bungag identified him as Police Officer 2 Alejandro Pineda Jr.

She said Pineda is being investigated over the incident.

The video, uploaded on Facebook by cab passenger Gracie Fabie, showed Pineda asking for the license of the taxi driver for a supposed traffic violation.

But the cabbie refused to give his license, prompting Pineda to smash the cab’s window.

The driver eventually gave his license to the police officer.