- Apprehended taxi driver had multiple complaints: police
A TAXI driver was arrested in an entrapment operation on Friday afternoon after he allegedly overcharged his passenger and refused to use a meter during the entire ride.
Operatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Buhangin Police Station, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office arrested Randel Manuel Villacarlos, 49, married, a resident of SIR, Phase 2.
He was the driver of the Durian Taxi who became the subject of several complaints before the Office of the City Mayor and the police.
Reportedly, instead of using the meter, he will contract passengers, especially those outside the Davao International Airport.
During the operation, two police operatives boarded the taxi and asked Villacarlos to take them to Calinan. They confirmed that he charged them a fixed rate of P1,300 instead of using a meter according to the law.
Villacarlos was handcuffed when he received the payment.
LTFRB XI also noted multiple violations like failure to wear a uniform, broken lights, and defective horns, among others.
The suspect is now in the custody of the Buhangin Police Station.
The Department of Transportation Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01 penalizes violators with P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 and vehicle impoundment for the second offense, and P15,000 and franchise cancellation for the third offense.
