Authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport has apprehended a taxi driver operating in its premises after he reportedly victimized a Filipino domestic worker who just arrived from Saudi Arabia at NAIA Terminal 2.

Airport police Inspector Rhoderic Mejia, officer-in-charge of the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), identified the suspect as Jesus Pingol, driver of a white Lyngail taxi with plate number UVM 524.

According to Mejia, they were conducting an operation against overcharging taxi drivers when they came across Pingol who apparently victimized domestic worker Michelle Dasalla at 6am on Friday, June 29.

The driver allegedly charged Dasalla SAR 500 (P7,129) — roughly equivalent to half of the victim’s monthly wages, for a ride from NAIA Terminal 2 to Balintawak, Quezon City.

Mejia said they launched a manhunt operation that resulted in the arrest of the taxi driver, who at first denied the allegation. Later in his interrogation, Pingol admitted the offense and agreed to return the P7,000 to the IID official, who later turned it over to the husband of the victim.

The victim was reportedly distressed when she arrived in Manila due to her abusive employer in Saudi Arabia.

Mejia said the suspect was charged with overcharging and MIAA banned all taxi units of Lyngail from entering NAIA terminals.

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