This holiday season, we’re expecting hundreds, if not thousands, of overseas Filipino workers coming home to be with their family. And their first point of contact in the country is the airport. If they’re lucky enough to leave the airport without any hitch, they then have to deal with public transportation (if no one is picking them up).
One netizen shared an alleged modus with the taxi system. According to Charlene R., she chose one of those taxis that looks like a regular car.
According to her:
May isang guy kasi na nagtanong sakin kung kailangan ko ng taxi, eh lumapit kasi ako sa airport taxi, they told me na they will charge me P2,600+ from there to my destination which is SM Fairview lang naman. That was Sunday, December 20 bandang 8:30 pm. So sabi nung guy, “Miss, naghahanap ka ba ng taxi?” Then I said yes. So he gave me the price, starting P700 to P900. And I agreed with P700. I noticed na wala siya masyadong kaalam alam sa lugar. So he led me to the parking lot. Pagod na rin ako so okay, fine, then I was shocked when I saw the car. It wasn’t a taxi. But yeah, uso naman Grabcar so I think legit naman sya.
(I went near the airport taxi and a guy approached me, asking if I needed one. He said that the airport taxi will charge me P2,600 to SM Fairview. That was Sunday, around 8:30PM. When he asked if I needed a taxi, I said yes. He said it would cost me P700 to P900. I agreed to P700. I noticed that he wasn’t good with locations. He led me to the parking lot. I was tired, but I was shocked when I saw the car. It wasn’t a taxi. But yeah, Grabcar is popular so I think it’s legit.)
Things changed when the guy took her luggage and wouldn’t let go.
Then I was like “I’m going to check something and if you don’t mind, let me,” tapos nakahawak pa rin sya. Until bubuksan nya na yung car (toyota avanza) then may 2 guys sa loob, yung driver tapos may nakaupo sa tabi ng driver. Well, I saw them from the outside kasi di naman sya tinted. Then dun na ko na alarma. I was panicking. Pero hindi ko pinahahalata. Chill chill lang kungari. Pero naluluha nako.
(Then I was like “I’m going to check something and if you don’t mind, let me,” but he was still holding my bag. Until he opened the Toyota Avanza, where I saw two guys, the driver and another guy sitting next to him. I saw them from the outside because the car wasn’t tinted. That’s when I became alarmed. I was panicking. But I didn’t let it show. I was pretending to be calm but I was about to cry.)
She finally got away when she pretended she saw someone.
I saw this foreign guy standing, and I pretended na kakilala ko so I waved at him. He waved back then sabi ko “oh, andyan na pala sundo ko,” then I pulled my luggage and ran. I was saying, “I’m fine! I’m fine! Andiyan na sundo ko. I don’t need a taxi anymore.” The guy hesitated to follow me and offer me a ride. I ran to the guy and told my story to the airport security. Salamat din dun sa mamang nasakyan ko. Dun sa airport taxi. Kahit mahal, okay na rin. Basta safe.
(I saw this foreign guy and I pretended I knew him so I waved at him. He waved back. I told the guy that my ride was there, and then I pulled my luggage and ran. I was saying, “I’m fine! I’m fine! My ride is there. I don’t need a taxi anymore. The guy hesitated to follow me and offer me a ride. I ran to the guy and told my story to the airport security. I’m thankful I got a ride with the airport taxi. Even if it’s expensive, at least I’m safe.”)
She ended her post by warning people to be careful during the holiday season.
Have you experienced this? Share your thoughts below!
