Taxicab firm banned from airport

A taxi company has been banned from all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) after one of its drivers was accused of robbing his passenger, a visiting overseas Filipino worker, on Holy Wednesday.

Ed Monreal, Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) general manager, ordered airport policemen to immediately implement the ban on Shammah taxicabs.

The suspect was identified as Orestes Quizon, who had just been with the taxi firm for two days before a passenger, Karen Mitschel, accused him of robbery.

With the help of the taxi company, the 48-year-old Quizon was arrested and charged by the police.

A Miaa report said that Mitschel and her companion arrived at Naia Terminal 2 from Hong Kong on April 17.

They boarded Quizon’s white Shammah taxicab with plate number UVV 577 and asked to be brought to a bus terminal in Pasay City.

Exorbitant fare

Along the way, Quizon supposedly demanded P2,400 for the four-kilometer ride. Since the victims were not carrying any local currency, they told him to take them to a money changer.

But when Mitschel’s companion alighted at the shop, Quizon drove off, with Mitschel still onboard.

She told authorities that Quizon took her cell phone and HK$40 in cash and dropped her off near Gatchalian Subdivision on C-5 Extension in Las Piñas City.

Investigators, however, were able to identify the cab company and the plate number of the suspect’s vehicle based on the Miaa copy of the taxi dispatch slip.