DOTr Orders Relief of 5 NAIA Police Officers in Taxi Extortion Scheme

DOTr Orders Relief of 5 NAIA Police Officers in Taxi Extortion Scheme

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.com  

June 20, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – In a decisive move to fight corruption and enhance passenger experience, the Department of Transportation has ordered the relief of five airport police officers involved in the alleged taxi extortion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Relieved from their duties at NAIA Terminal 3 were Airport Police Officer 3 Pablito Seño, AP02 Roberto Abuel, AP02 Bernardo Agra, AP02 Alejandro Pineda, and AP01 Rodolfo Piedad.

They have been transferred to the Headquarters of the Airport Department for further investigation.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the move was in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and abuse of power in government agencies.

The alleged operation, dubbed the “60/40 racket,” purportedly involved the police officers demanding an exorbitant 40 percent share from taxi drivers’ earnings, compelling them to inflate fares and exploit unsuspecting passengers, particularly tourists.

A passenger reported last week that she was charged P1,200 by an airport taxi driver who brought her from NAIA Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

Dizon directed the Manila International Airport Authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the scheme.

“The President has made it unequivocally clear: We must not impose undue burdens on our citizens,” Dizon told police officers.

“These individuals will face immediate suspension, followed by proceedings for termination,” he said.

Whistleblower Felix Opina, a driver for Taxihub, outlined the mechanics of the purported extortion.

Opina disclosed that drivers who refuse to comply with the police officers’ demands would face arrest or be prohibited from getting passengers at the airport.

“Airport police are central to this operation,” Dizon stressed.

He said such corruption by police officers poses a threat to the country’s tourism sector.