Pedicab Modus Operandi: Dos-Bente

 

Just sharing this experience since you might encounter it yourself...

My partner and I went to Divisoria to shop for some random items as usual. We shopped further 

until we didn't know exactly where we were. We are aware it is still part of Divisoria, just around 

Tutuban but its just that we are not familiar with the place.

We finished buying stuff then decided to go home, we didn't really know which direction to take so 

we just has in idea.. just a ride a pedicab to the nearest LRT station especially since there are no 

taxis around. Just in time, there was one pedicab waving at us, parked at a pedicab queue.

I asked 'Magkano pahatid papuntang pinakamalapit na LRT station. I am very positive he said 

'bente po'. I even clarified with him if it is for one person or for both of us already. Then we rode 

his trike and we got to Bambang station.

To my surprise, when I was handing him a 50 peso bill, he then said 'Hala! DOS-bente (220) 

po sabi ko, hindi sapat yan'. I argued regarding the price since 220 pesos could have gone me 

back to Taguig riding a taxi. He just kept on lowering the price till he closed at 100 pesos, I just 

handed him the money since I don't want to waste my time over a stupid argument. Then he 

skid off..

I wanted to report this guy to the police station but I just didn't take the extra effort on it.

I think their modus operandi is to mislead the passenger saying 'DOS-bente' despite clearly 

saying just 'bente', a sort of misnomer for the amount. 

220 or 100 is not that of a huge amount for me. I could have given him tip of the same amount if 

he asked properly and if he deserved it. I go with the saying that 'Kung manlalamang ka sa 

kapwa, karma na ang bahala sa iyo... wala ka ring iaasenso'. I do not want to point out that he 

is poor and just trying out means to survive. To put it simply, if you bad to others... nothing will 

change in your situation.

This article is by izamucandy on Nov 26 2010, 01:09 PM. I reposted this to inform everyone 

about this. Hope this helps. Keep safe everyone!