MPD warns public vs ‘double-charging’ cabbies

A Manila Police District (MPD) station commander warned the public yesterday against “double-charging” taxi drivers who prey on passengers with more than one destination.

Sta. Cruz, Manila police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula issued the warning after R&E taxi driver Alex Marmol, 31, was arrested as he allegedly tried to double-charge a STAR reporter.

At around 4 a.m. yesterday, the reporter and a companion flagged down the taxicab driven by Marmol and told him to proceed to Pampanga street in Sta. Cruz. After the companion got off, the reporter directed Marmol to drive to Sampaloc. At this point, Marmol told the reporter to first pay for the meter reading going to Sta. Cruz, then the meter will be reset to its flag-down rate of P30. He was then told he had to pay separately for the trip to Sampaloc.

When the reporter complained, Marmol threatened him with bodily harm and said this is the new policy followed by taxi operators.

As the taxi passed the Sta. Cruz police station, the reporter got out and told Marmol to follow him into the station, where he filed a complaint against the driver.

Cornered, Marmol asked forgiveness for his actions and volunteered to bring the reporter home for free in exchange for dropping the complaint.

Sapitula said that they have been swamped with complaints about abusive taxi drivers ranging from “contracting” or asking for a fixed amount, overcharging and double-charging.

“The public must be vigilant against these kinds of taxi drivers. Victims should immediately report these illegal activities to police so they could not continue their nefarious activities,” Sapitula said.