December 27, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Two security guards at Batangas Port were arrested for extorting money from motorists to get their vehicles boarded in roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessels without lining up, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
The PCG-Batangas and Batangas Maritime Police nabbed suspects Jerome Castillo and Marvin Inonog after they were allegedly “caught in the act of offering illegal expedited vehicle boarding services for fees.”
In a statement, the PCG said complaints for violating Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes deceit and other acts of dishonesty, would be filed against the two.
Philippine Ports Authority spokesperson Eunice Samonte said the two are “not PPA employees, but security guards of a private security agency hired by Asian Terminals, which operates Batangas port.”
According to Samonte, both guards charged P1,000 for motorcycles, P2,500 for cars and vans, and P5,000 for trucks in exchange for boarding without the need to wait in line.
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