Tourist files theft charges vs cabbie

MANILA, Philippines - A Japanese tourist filed theft charges against a taxi driver who allegedly duped him in Manila on Friday.

Driver Nestor Esquillo, 40, is currently detained at Manila Police District headquarters based on the complaint of Kenka Yoshitoka, 46.

Yoshitoka claimed Esquillo demanded P5,000 for transporting him from Makati Cinema Square to his hotel in Paco, Manila – a ride that would cost less than P300.

According to Senior Police Officer 2 John Cayetano, the misunderstanding between Yoshitoka and Esquillo happened at about 4 a.m. near the intersection of Quirino and Taft Ave­nues.

Cayetano said when Yoshitoka gave the cabbie P1,000, Esquillo became angry.

During the heated argument, Yoshitoka accidentally left his cellular phone in the cab and the device was stolen by a bystander.

An incensed Yoshitoka found out about this and asked members of Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, who were patrolling the area, to take them to the police station.