[justice]

at a check-in counter of Phillipine Airlines in Cebu, I bumped into fraud commited by Phillipine Airlines employee. He told me to pay 500 pisos for the excess weight of 1 kilogram of my lagguage. After the payment, I requested the receipt, then he said 700 pisos if I need the receipt. I tried to protest but all of the sudden he yelled at me with forcible tone, saying "Go away!!" -- and there was nothing else I could do.

Later I complained about this with PA, however, the way they handle the situation is just like they are dealing with a lost luggage or the sort. They told me to let them know about my bank account so that they can get my money back -- WAIT!!! A shoplifter stole some goods from a supermarket shelf and was caught by a clerk at the parking lot, but he is free to go if he paid the amount he steal???? NO WAY!!!! They don't have any awareness that THIS IS THE SERIOUS CRIME!!!! I'm looking for the way I can file this matter legally with some higher organization, if possible. If anybody out there who knows any organization that I can file a protest against this matter or that I can consult, please let me know.

[The_Judge]

I hate to say this and it will sound like I am condoning it (I am absolutely not) but this is the Philippines. This is their way of life. Corruption is at all levels here and you will NEVER get your 500 pesos back no matter who you complain to.

Corruption is from top to bottom in the PI and a low-level scam got you. If you complain to the police (who may be the worst offenders of all) you will get nowhere. If you complain to PAL, they will turn a blind eye. Since this was on a foreign carrier in a foreign land, I will have to say, you are completely out of luck.

[justice]

Thanks for the reply. -- but you mean there are NO higher organization above??
I know it is fraudulent place like you say, but there's no place else that I can lodge my complain?
...I feel like I've got to do this, otherwise, they will continue doing this and innocent tourists would be trapped further just like my case....

[The_Judge]

Sorry. I may not have been clear. Yes......you can lodge you complaint with the airline and the police but I'm saying it won't go anywhere. As for a higher source, you could sue them in court but I'm unfamiliar if the Philippines has a small claims court and it really wouldn't be worth it for the 11-12 usd you paid. I wish I had a better answer and maybe someone else does but if I were you, I'd chalk it up to TIP. (this is the Philippines)

[The_Judge]

You could try making a complaint here. This is the DOTC (Dept of Transportation and Communication in the Philippines) which is who, I am guessing, oversees airlines.

[jimworcs]

Do you have the name of the employee. You could post it on this website, as a warning to others... but if 500 pesos is 10-12 US Dollars as The Judge says, then you got away lightly. Ryanair charge considerably more than that for excess weight.

[justice]

-Hi, the Judge, thanks for the link. I'll read it through and see if they can deal with the individual case. Anyway, I didn't know any org. and now I got to know at least one!

-thanks for the post, jimworcs. Actually, it happened just like that and couldn't even memorize his name. Actually, the airlines has sent me several photos of their employees who were there on the day and I have just chosen the possible one -- but thing is, whoever they dismiss, it's internal matter, you know. Their attitude toward me is just like the red-handed "shoplifter" to me....

[jimworcs]

Surely the airline should be able to tell who checked you in? Wouldn't their system show who was handling it? If they have sent you photo's of staff, it sounds to be as if they are taking it seriously. I am quite impressed by that.

Good for you for standing up for the priniciple.

[LuLou]

Aviation Consumer protection division? Good luck in your international debacle, see if You can gat a Full CASH Refund for everyone in your party's flight, $,$$$.00 then free Completely UNRESTRICTED,(Book Next Day if want) 1st CLASS, round trip tickets for all wherever / whenever they fly. It's been done. But that was in the states by a person of unnatural talent. hehe