MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the shutdown of AirAsia Move, an online booking site allegedly charging excessively high ticket prices amid the transportation crisis in Eastern Visayas.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the government is finalizing an economic sabotage case against the Malaysian-based travel platform for overcharging passengers. The order came after reports from Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.

Gomez and his wife, Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, reportedly bought Philippine Airlines tickets from Tacloban to Manila via AirAsia Move that cost around ₱77,704—almost three times the price when booked directly on PAL’s website.

“I have asked the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group to take this website down today so this AirAsia Move can no longer scam others,” Dizon said.

Dizon thanked Nepomuceno for alerting him to similar complaints involving excessive airfares to Tacloban. The partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge to heavy vehicles has affected the movement of goods and people, creating a crisis that some online platforms are exploiting.

The DOTr issued a cease and desist order against AirAsia Move on May 26 for unauthorized sale of airline tickets at prices exceeding those approved by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Although AirAsia Move claims it is not under CAB’s jurisdiction as a foreign-based agent, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said fare enforcement remains within CAB’s mandate.

Dizon clarified that AirAsia Philippines is not connected to AirAsia Move.

The DOTr has instructed CAB to investigate other online booking platforms charging excessive fares beyond Tacloban. “We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people,” Dizon said.