Airport officials are reportedly investigating an apparent scam involving airport security personnel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the sale of overpriced air tickets to inbound travelers under the premise of missing their flights.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials admitted to hearing of the scheme in the past, but a recent case saw a victim — an overseas Filipino worker from the Middle East — described his experience over social media. According to MIAA Assistant General Manager for security and emergency services Jesus Gordon Descanzo, the unnamed OFW did not show up when sought for the name of the official involved in the scheme.
According to the OFW’s Facebook account, his flight arrived around 5pm on July 18 at NAIA Terminal 1. As he has to catch his domestic flight for Tacloban City in Terminal 3 at 6pm, he looked around for available shuttle that would transfer him from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. He found none.
He added that an airport policeman approached him and asked if he already had a ticket to fly to Tacloban. When he replied he already has, the police officer called a man whom will suppsedly help bring him to his destination terminal.
The OFW and the man then boarded an airport tax which, he claimed, took the long route because they arrived at Terminal 3 past 6pm. After missing his flight, the OFW was prompted to book another air ticket worth P5,750 recommendended by his companion. Instead of receiving an official receipt, the passenger was given a voucher.
With his flight not scheduled until the next day, the victim was taken to a guesthouse where he met another passenger who also shared the same experience. Sensing that he paid way higher airfare than he should, the OFW booked directly at the same airline’s ticketing office and was quoted P2,200 for the same flight sector.
Descanzo said Monday that the OFW initially got in touch with the MIAA to file a complaint.
“He was supposed to meet with our case build-up team Monday last week and identify the member of the APD [who scammed him]. But he did not show up,” he told the Inquirer.
But the OFW reportedly did not show up.
Descanzo also said the man deactivated his Facebook account which he used to share his experience. Calls to his number also went unanswered.
Nonetheless, the MIAA has initiated its investigation on the airline ticketing office that issued overpriced ticket to the man.