THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has launched an investigation into taxi drivers allegedly overcharging and stealing from two foreign models during their visit to the Philippines, as the agency vowed to hold both drivers and taxi operators accountable.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the agency would coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify the drivers involved and gather information that could lead to administrative action against the taxi operators.
“We will be coordinating with the Philippine National Police to get all the necessary information that could lead to the identification of the taxi drivers involved. On the part of the LTFRB, we will be providing the information needed for the identification of the operators and eventually holding all of them accountable,” Mendoza said.
The incident reportedly happened on June 13 while the two Thai models were in the country for an event. According to the LTFRB, the victims hailed a taxi, but the driver demanded a fixed rate and refused to use the meter.
Later, the driver allegedly stopped the vehicle, claiming the taxi had broken down. The LTFRB said the driver was also accused of conspiring with another taxi driver in taking the foreign model’s mobile phone.
“This is not acceptable. We assure the victims that we will exhaust all legal means to hold these drivers accountable. And even their operators will not be spared,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB said it would issue show-cause orders for all those involved in the incident once the investigation is completed.
Mendoza also appealed to witnesses who may have information about the incident to assist authorities in the ongoing investigation.
