A major reorganization took effect at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), impacting 400 members of the Airport Police Department (APD), due to accusations of extortion activities.
The move aims to enhance operational efficiency and restore public trust in the airport’s security measures.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines said the reshuffle is a deliberate step to align top-level management with the agency’s long-term vision and evolving priorities.
“This move ensures stronger governance and delivers more effective public service,” he said.
Airport Police Supt. Luis Cometa Jr. has been designated as the new APD chief, succeeding Supt. Levy Jose, who was reassigned to his previous post.
Ines said Jose’s relief is a result of command responsibility.
The airport management also established a Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) to investigate purported irregularities involving rogue taxi drivers colluding with airport police officers, who victimized arriving passengers, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Earlier, five APD men were ordered dismissed for their involvement in the so-called 60/40 extortion scheme involving taxi drivers. This scheme, reportedly initiated by some corrupt airport police officers, requires taxi drivers to pay a commission, which then forces them to overcharge passengers to recover their costs.
The scheme came to light after a taxi driver was arrested for allegedly overcharging a passenger by ₱1,200 for a short trip between NAIA Terminals 3 and 2. The driver revealed that the people orchestrating this racket were APD members who impose high rates on fares, taking 40% of the overcharged amount, ultimately burdening the passengers.
Ines admitted he has been receiving many complaints regarding the issue of overcharging by drivers at the airport, where most of the victims are OFWs.
He assured that the crackdown against errant taxi drivers and other illegal public transport providers at the airport is being conducted 24/7.
“We cannot tolerate these taxis and TNVS that violate NAIA regulations and exploit passengers at the airport,” he said.
More than 900 vehicles involved have been intercepted since June. Some were impounded at the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) headquarters in Pasay City.
The MIAA and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) initiated this crackdown in close coordination with the PNP-Avsegroup, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) to eliminate illegal transport operators and ensure a smooth traffic flow for passengers and their loved ones at NAIA.
Most apprehensions were made for violations such as unauthorized transportation, overcharging, breach of franchise, defective taxi meters, unregistered vehicles, improvised license plates, dress code violations, and illegal parking within the NAIA complex.
