Manila: The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) composite team tasked to crack down on erring public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers at the country's main gateway continues to apprehend more individuals via random inspections. On Wednesday, at least 41 taxis, motorcycle taxis, and vehicles were inspected at the NAIA Terminal 3. Two PUVs were issued violation tickets for having expired registration and were later impounded, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said in a news release.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LTO is among the members of the composite team, together with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), its Airport Police Department (APD), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group. More LTO personnel were deployed to conduct the random inspections "to make the response system more active and real-time against drivers of taxis and other modes of public transportation who are overcharging passengers," it said.

'We are making NAIA and its surroundings a 'discipline zone' and the deployment of our personnel there will be the start to ensure compliance of the regulations of these drivers,' LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II was quoted as saying. Earlier, MIAA General Manager Eric Ines also said the 45 personnel tasked to patrol the airport's vicinity would be augmented.

On June 27, the license of a motorcycle taxi driver got suspended for allegedly charging his passenger PHP2,000 from NAIA Terminal 3 to Cainta, Rizal. On Jan. 25, at least 11 PUV drivers were apprehended for illegal contracting of passengers and committing franchise violations. These apprehensions were the result of the intensified efforts of the composite team that was formed last June 22 and has been functioning 24/7, according to Ines.