A taxi driver and a barker at the NAIA were jailed after they charged three French tourists P10,000 in fares and threatened to hurt them when they refused to pay.
When arrested at the NAIA, the suspects even tried to flee and collided with one of the airport police.
In a report by Vonne Aquino on “24 Oras Weekend” on Saturday, it was said that the three Frenchmen went to NAIA Terminal 3 from a province after a month-long tour of the country.
They returned from Malate to Manila and looked for a ride when barker Mark Anthony Superable offered a taxi.
The three immediately agreed and took a taxi driven by Johnny Bungulan, but the barker also came along.
While on the Skyway, French foreigners were charged $ 200 or more than P10,000. But because it was expensive, the tourists disagreed.
The driver and barker threatened, aimed a knife at them, and threatened to strike them with an iron bar.
Because of the threat, the tourists only agreed to the suspects’ request. The French foreigners went to the NAIA to report to the airport police the next day.
The suspects were also at the airport simultaneously, and the three tourists positively identified them.
Taxi driver, barker who charged French nationals P10K fare arrested
But instead of following the authorities, the suspects tried to flee and hit one of the police officers at the airport.
“‘Sir sorry Sir.’ Maayos naman ‘yung lalaking kausap ko,” said Bungulan.
The two suspects face charges of attempted homicide, resistance, disobedience to a person in authority, unjust vexation, grave coercion, and violation of duty to procure a license.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it would be on heightened alert during the upcoming holy week to anticipate the increase in arriving and departing passengers.
According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, all airports and seaports have been instructed to ensure that they are properly manned to be able to service the expected rise in travelers.
The BI earlier projected around 12,000 – 14,000 daily arrivals for the month of April.
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