Authorities in Lapu-Lapu City have initiated a formal investigation following a distressing incident where a tourist was allegedly scammed out of nearly P15,000 during a trip to Barangay Mactan. The tourist detailed a series of excessive and undisclosed charges for island hopping, transportation, and other services, sparking concerns about the integrity of the local tourism industry.
Details of the Scam and Unauthorized Charges
In an Instagram video posted on April 12, 2026, the tourist revealed that they were initially charged P5,500 for an island hopping excursion. However, additional unauthorized fees quickly piled up, including P900 per island visited for two people and P1,200 for two jeepney rides that lasted only 10 minutes each. The tourist was also forced to pay P1,500 for squid and oysters, despite having no intention to purchase these items.
This marked the tourist's sixth visit to the Philippines, but it was the first time they had experienced such a scam. They expressed deep frustration over the double-charging and misleading information provided throughout the journey, stating in the video: "This kind of scammer makes the tourism industry go down! Because of some people like them, tourists will not come anymore and prefer to choose other places."
Official Response and Investigation Progress
City officials have already identified three individuals who acted as "canvassers" or middlemen, accused of imposing severe markups on tour services. In a Facebook post on Thursday, April 16, Lone District Representative Junard "Ahong" Chan voiced serious concerns about the potential damage to the city's reputation, emphasizing that such incidents undermine efforts to attract more visitors.
Chan remarked: "The charges for transportation, island hopping, and food are excessively high. What they did is unacceptable." He highlighted that the city government and private tourism stakeholders are working hard to boost visitor numbers, and scams like this could derail those initiatives.
Insights from the Tourism Office and Preventive Measures
Garry Lao, head of the City Tourism Office, confirmed in a phone interview that the three suspects involved in the incident have been identified. Lao immediately coordinated with the Tourist Police Office after receiving the complaint, which occurred near a supermarket in Mactan.
Lao explained that while accredited tour guides in Lapu-Lapu are closely monitored, some transactions involve canvassers or middlemen who set prices and add significant markups, leading to overcharging. He advised tourists to deal directly with accredited guides, barangay officials, or the Tourist Police Office to avoid similar problems.
"We understand we are in the midst of a crisis, but we should not exploit it in a way that harms our industry. We are slowly recovering, and it is disheartening that this happened," Lao stated. He added that efforts are now underway to implement stricter regulations at the barangay level to prevent future occurrences.
Broader Implications for Tourism and Community Action
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the tourism sector, particularly with unregulated middlemen exploiting visitors. The city's response includes not only investigating this specific case but also strengthening oversight mechanisms to protect tourists and maintain Lapu-Lapu's appeal as a destination.
As the investigation continues, officials urge the public to report any suspicious activities and emphasize the importance of transparency in all tourism-related transactions to foster a trustworthy environment for both local and international travelers.
