Muntinlupa cracks down on barkers, cabbies  

MANILA, Philippines — The Muntinlupa City government has intensified its crackdown against illegal barkers and unscrupulous taxi drivers overcharging their passengers in the city.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon said on Thursday they monitored a group of barkers and drivers victimizing unsuspecting commuters, such as those at the Alabang viaduct. There were also similar reports along the national road from Alabang to Tunasan and up to the boundary of San Pedro City in Laguna.

Biazon said the group’s modus operandi is for the barkers to approach commuters and offer to carry their baggage and for them to ride a taxi.

“But the taxi would not use a meter and the driver would charge thousands of pesos,” he said in Filipino in a statement posted on Facebook.

Based on their investigation, Biazon said a trip to Pasay from Alabang would cost commuters P2,000.

The Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau has asked Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-National Capital Region director Zona Russet Tamayo to assist in operations against taxi drivers overcharging commuters.

The Muntinlupa police arrested 10 barkers in Alabang at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Col. Kirby John Kraft, Southern Police District director, said the suspects were charged with violating a city ordinance against illegal barkers.