Cabbie hit for spraying perfume inside vehicle

A TAXI driver is under investigation for reportedly spraying chemicals on his vehicle’s airconditioning which made a female passenger dizzy early on Sunday morning.

Driver Rodger Castro of M and J taxi was summoned to a hearing at the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board Central Visayas office (LTFRB-7) on Monday to answer accusations against him.

Castro brought with him his perfume bottle to show to LTFRB investigators.

Emil Membrillas, LTFRB-7 information officer, said Castro was advised to submit himself to drug testing but was later found negative for drug use.

Membrillas said they are still awaiting for their legal office to resolve Castro’s case. Castro, a 54-year-old resident of barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City told reporters that he merely sprayed cologne to make his unit smell good because Verano was his first passenger for the day.

A driver for 20 years, Castro said he never intended to harm his passenger. Membrillas said a certain Geraldine Verano reported to their office that Castro sprayed a chemical on his unit’s aircon which made her dizzy.

Verano said she hailed Castro’s taxi at Barangay Guadalupe at 6:40 a.m. on Sunday and asked to be brought to Barangay Tabunok in Talisay City.

When they reached the vicinity of the Guadalupe Elementary School, Verano alleged that Castro brought out a can and sprayed something on his unit’s aircon at least three times.

Membrillas said Castro told Verano that what he sprayed was a men’s perfume. Feeling dizzy, Verano said she immediately got out of the taxi unit and reported the incident to LTFRB.