By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Two Thai pageant winners visiting the country for the Manila International Fashion Week (MIFW) have claimed they were victimized by individuals posing as taxi drivers in an incident that has sparked concern over tourist safety in the capital.
Reigning Mister Thailand Universe Nattirut Srichatwanich and Miss Universe Sa Kaeo 2025 first runner-up Meriza “Risa” Meier recounted the ordeal in separate social media posts, detailing how they allegedly lost an expensive smartphone after a series of encounters with suspicious taxi drivers on June 13.
According to Nattirut, the pair hailed a parked taxi outside a convenience store despite the driver’s refusal to use the meter. While monitoring their route through an online navigation app, he noticed the vehicle was heading in the wrong direction.
After they questioned the route, the driver reportedly complied but later stopped the vehicle, claiming it had broken down. Another taxi then arrived to continue the trip.
The second driver allegedly claimed unfamiliarity with their destination and asked to see directions on Nattirut’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. Moments later, he reportedly said he could not complete the journey and instructed the passengers to get out of the vehicle.
Nattirut said the second driver then summoned a third taxi and showed the new driver the route using his smartphone. However, the two drivers allegedly sped away together with the device, leaving the Thai visitors stranded on the roadside.
A fourth vehicle later arrived and reportedly offered to bring them to a police station, but the pair declined, fearing another possible scam. Instead, they sought directions from nearby residents and eventually reached a police precinct on their own.
Authorities at the Bangkal Police Substation in Makati immediately responded to the complaint and assisted the victims in gathering evidence, including reviewing available CCTV footage from the area.
Reflecting on the experience, Nattirut urged fellow travelers to remain vigilant when using public transportation abroad.
He advised tourists not to hand over personal belongings to strangers and to rely on trusted ride-hailing applications that provide passenger and driver tracking features.
The incident drew concern from Manila International Fashion Week founder and organizer Bench Bello, who expressed disappointment that foreign guests attending the event became victims of an alleged crime.
“It is truly disappointing that while many Filipinos strive to showcase our country’s warmth and hospitality, the actions of a few individuals can tarnish the image of our nation,” Bello said in a social media statement.
Bello called on the Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
He likewise reiterated his advice to international visitors to use accredited ride-hailing services for safer and more secure transportation.
“The actions of a few should never define the true character and hospitality of the Filipino people,” Bello said.
As authorities continue their investigation, the incident serves as a reminder for both local and foreign travelers to exercise caution when dealing with unregistered or unverified transport services.
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