MIAA Bans Taxi Operator from NAIA

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has banned the Queensmen taxi fleet from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after one of its drivers was found guilty of stealing an airport passenger's bag containing valuables.

Based on the MIAA's records, passenger Catalina Prado arrived in NAIA on July 16, Monday, and took a Queensman taxi driven by Rodel Ormillo. After Ormillo asked for a fare of PHP1,7000 to transport Prado to Muntinlupa, Prado decided to take another taxi instead. It was when her bags were unloaded from the Queensman taxi with license plate number ABQ 1130 that Prado noted that her backpack was missing. As she approached the taxi to check if her backpack was still inside, Ormillo supposedly immediately sped off.

In Prado's report to the airport police, her bag contained five pairs of earrings, one gold necklace with an estimated value of PHP25,000 to PHP30,000, three pieces of watches with an estimated value of PHP17,000 to PHP25,000, a passbook and automated teller machine (ATM) card with PHP243,000, personal items worth PHP6,000, employment documents, and chocolates.

Following Prado's report of the incident to the Terminal Police Section, the MIAA Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) then coordinated with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the operator of Queensman taxi who gave Ormillo's address at Eastwind Homes Subdivision in Rodriguez, Rizal

The airport police officers, along with Prado and some barangay officials, went to Ormillo's residence on Thursday, July 19. The driver initially denied that the bag was in his possession. Ormillo though eventually admitted to the act and confessed to pawning two pairs of earrings with a pawnshop for PHP2,200.00 while one pair of earrings and the gold necklace were pawned with a neighbor. The other items were left inside the backpack.

According to the MIAA, all of Prado's items were eventually recovered and that robbery charges will be filed against Ormillo while a recommendation for the cancellation/revocation of his driver's license will be filed with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

"It makes me happy that we were able to help Ms. Prado," said MIA General Manager Ed Monreal. "We assure the public that we are working very hard to rid NAIA of scalawags and 'enterprising' individuals no matter how challenging it is. Our campaign is continuing and we value every complaint brought before us and we will do all we can to resolve them. This to me is the essence of public service with a heart."

Monreal is encouraging passengers to keep the dispatch slips being issued by the airport staff when they ride a taxi, and to report incidents of abuse and overcharging.

MIAA has been banning taxi companies in all of the airport terminals if any of their drivers has been found guilty of wrongdoings. Last March, MIAA banned all units of Eazy First taxis, after one of the fleet's drivers was found guilty of overcharging.