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!
I had the same experience recently pero sa may MRT – Buendia naman. Papunta sana ako sa school ng sister ko sa may Salcedo Village, Makati City and I decided na mag-taxi na lang since I was already running late for the school meeting. May lalaking nagtanong rin sa akin kung mag-tataxi daw ako then when I said yes, itinuro niya sa aking ang isang grey na private vehicle. Ang sabi niya taxi daw yun at may mga pasahero na rin daw sa loob, pero at that point nagduda na ako kasi tinted yung salamin ng sasakyan kaya di ko makita yung mga tao sa loob. I backed off and just told him na maghahanap na lang ako ng ibang taxi then I walked away as fast as I can. Hinabol pa ako nung mama, sabi P50 flat rate na lang daw pero di na ako lumingon at nagtuloy-tuloy na sa paglakad palayo. Nawala na rin sa isip kong kunin yung plate number dahil sa sobrang kaba.
Ingat po tayong lahat.
I wasn’t feeling well that time and was even hospitalized a couple of days after. I arrived at Terminal 2 from an international flight feeling really weak. I rode one of the yellow airport taxis and told the driver to send me to Terminal 3 since I was catching a domestic flight. But before we left, he asked for the stub which contained the taxi’s plate number and other info. I gave it to him without realizing that I needed it when I have complaints. It was only when we arrived at Terminal 3 that I noticed he didnt turn the meter on. When I asked him how much should I pay him, he responded “Pampasko nalang po, Sir”. Tsk tsk tsk… Kapal lang… Kahit mga airport taxi hindi mapagkakatiwalaan…
I was in the Phuls again a yewar ago,my 2nd time to visit.I just take the bus for 20 peso,and get out at one of the stops and grab a taxi,most of the time they may try to charge a flat rate,which is more than meter,I say no way,not my first time in manila.I know how much the ride is to alot of destinations.I just say meter plus 50 peso,since I give some kind of tip anyway.If they gont like it,I just grab another cab.
I had a similar experience whilst on the way to NAIA last year Nov14.After agreeing to take us to the airport(4 of us) by meter,he changed his mind and asked for more money while we were almost outside the air terminal.My filipino friend asked how much he wanted but i think he settled it for less than what the taxi driver demanded.
In situations like this how can we seek help and report the modus operandi of such a unscrupulous taxi driver.I understand not all taxi drivers are like that.there are even taxi drivers who go out of their way to assist passengers without expecting anything in return.Their acts are commendable but for those who prey and cheat,these are the ones the MOTC should go after.