INQUIRER Global Nation

FOR wanting to use a lavatory a couple on board a Cebu-bound plane instead got apprehended by airport police, when their Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Seoul, South Korea reached Cebu City.

The couple, Edward and Danessa Onglatco, filed a complaint against PAL before the civil division of a Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday.

The two are seeking P5.5 million in compesation from PAL for what they alleged was the airline's failure to “exercise control over its personnel.”

In their complaint Danessa said she wanted to use the lavatory but was treated rudely by flight attendants.

The couple ended up being brought to the airport police station upon their arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Edward is the president and chief operating officer of Hyundai Cebu Inc.

The couple demanded P5 million in moral damages and P500,000 in exemplary damages aside from P100,000 for their attorney's fee and another P50,000 for litigation expense.

Named respondents in their complaint were the PAL office at the PNB Financial Center, President Diosdado Macapagal Ave., CCP Complex in Pasay City; flight purser Jose Adarme; flight steward Virginia Wee and an unnamed flight captain.

The Onglatco couple, who resides in Ma. Luisa Subdivision in Banilad, Cebu City, said they are frequent PAL costumers.

They left Cebu on March 20 and boarded a return flight on March 23.

The two were seated at the economy section of the flight behind the Mabuhay section flight when Danessa got up to use the lavatory.

Five other passengers waited in line and after 10 minutes, Danessa went to the lavatory of the Mabuhay section.

However Wee appeared and reportedly reprimanded her.

Danessa said despite repeated requests, she was not allowed to use the Mabuhay section’s lavatory.

Danessa said she was forced to wait for her turn at the economy section's lavatory.

After finally using the lavatory, she was confronted on the way out by Wee.

At the MCIA, the complainants were met by armed police and airport personnel where they were questioned.

They said they were released after airport police were convinced that they did nothing wrong. /Reporter Doris C. Bongcac