2 NAIA enforcers nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Two airport police officers accused of extorting from taxi drivers were arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2) in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Airport Police Officers 1 Pablo Atayde Jr. and Danilo Levite Jr. were arrested at around 9:30 p.m. in a joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) and Intelligence Group.

The airport police department is under the jurisdiction of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Robbery and extortion complaints were filed against Atayde and Levite before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office yesterday.

CITF spokesman Chief Inspector Jewel Nicanor said the suspects were caught in the act receiving P200 in marked money from a police operative who posed as a taxi driver.

The CITF initiated the operation after they received complaints the two airport police officers have been extorting money from cab drivers picking up passengers at the airport.

For discreetly giving a “fee” ranging from P100 to P200, the enforcers allowed drivers to wait longer at the airport for passengers.

“If they give a certain amount, they will be allowed to stay within the arrival area for a much longer time,” Nicanor said in a text message.

This is the likely the reason why drivers are charging their passengers more money on top of what is stated in the taximeter, officials said.

Nicanor said they have receiving complaints about the suspects’ activities since last year.

“It’s safe to say that they have been doing it for a long time already,” he said.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said the arrest of Atayde and Levite shows the government’s resolve to end abuse.

He said he is waiting for the CITF’s post-operation report and has ordered Arnulfo Junio, MIAA assistant general manager for security, to “initiate a parallel probe into the allegation.”

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said the arrest of Atayde and Levite shows the government’s resolve to end abuse.

He said he is waiting for the CITF’s post-operation report and has ordered Arnulfo Junio, MIAA assistant general manager for security, to “initiate a parallel probe into the allegation.” – With Rudy Santos