A taxi driver in Davao City sought the help of police after he was allegedly duped by his passengers.

The passengers allegedly did not pay their P1,500 fare for a trip to Digos City from Davao City.

The driver, Alfredo Macono, 44, said it was the passengers who contacted him for the trip.

“Nanawag sila sa akoa magpa-pick up sa Ilustre. Then gi-pick up nako sila mga 4:10 sa hapon going Digos. So Going mi Digos naabot mi pila lang ka oras quarter to 6 mi naabot didto mga 5:40 ata,” Macono said.

When they arrived in Digos City, the passengers allegedly led him around the city until they decided to stop at a remote, elevated area. By this time, Macono suspected that something was not right.

“Siguro kay kada naog nila munaog pud ko so nangita gyud sila’g lugar… gisaka ko nila didto sa buntod nga parte. Tingala ko walay kabakingan. Ninaog ang usa ka bayot, mga 3 minutes nibalik giingnan niya ang iyang kauban nga unsa pa man dira ang ginapaabot nimo naog na dinha,” Macono added.

Upon disembarking, one of the passengers reportedly handed him an ATM card and told him to withdraw P2,500. Of this amount, P1,500 would be for their fare that day and the rest would be for payment for a ride the following day.

The two reportedly promised to contact him again the next day.

“Paghatag niya sa ATM, ana siya, ikaw na lang widthraw sa kwarta dira bi. P1,500 man ang among pamasahe… withdrawha lang ang P2,500 kay musakay mi sa imuha utro,” Macono said.

He said he just accepted the ATM card and did not bother arguing with the passengers.

When he did try to withdraw, he found out that the remaining balance in the account was only 85 centavos.

Macono said he tried to contact the passengers but to no avail, prompting him to report the incident to the police.

The Digos City Police Station launched an investigation and coordinated with officials of the barangay where the passengers disembarked.

“Sa karon, naga-print ta og mga pictures atong mga pasahero. Ang ginabuhat pud sa atong investigation ug intel personnel, by barangay pud nila nga ginaadto ang matag barangay para makita tung picture kung kinsa ang nakaila atong mga tawhana,” Digos City Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. Florante Retes, said.

Once the two passengers are identified, they may face estafa and other charges, the police said.