Taxi driver in viral Davao overcharging incident says it was a misunderstanding

The taxi driver accused of overcharging two passengers nearly P3,000 for a short ride from Davao International Airport has apologized, claiming he was simply confused about the amount of money handed to him.

According to a report of GMA Regional TV, the driver, who has not been publicly identified, said he initially believed the passengers gave him three P100 bills. It was only after he parked his taxi that he realized he had been handed three P1,000 bills.

In the video, the driver was seen going down on his knees and emotionally embracing the male passenger as he asked for forgiveness.

The controversy stems from a ride taken by an elderly couple from the airport to the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT), a distance of roughly 12 kilometers. 

One of the passengers claimed they had already noticed something was off during the ride, saying the taximeter was running unusually fast. 

When they raised their concern, the driver reportedly replied, “Wala akong magagawa, ganyan talaga ’yan (There's nothing I can do, that's just how it works)." —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News