“The authorities have asked the police to take down AirAsia MOVE’s website as part of a cease-and-desist order by the Civil Aeronautics Board,” transportation secretary Vince Dizon said at a press conference today.

The aviation agency, which sets price ceilings for airfares in the country, says the company hiked its prices following transportation troubles in Tacloban City due to the closure of a key bridge to trucks.

“We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people,” Dizon said.

“Authorities will move to immediately file a case for ‘criminal economic sabotage’ against the digital platform, which is owned by Capital A Berhad,” Dizon added.

Malaysia-based AirAsia MOVE, which is an affiliate of budget carrier Philippines AirAsia, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

During the weekend, AirAsia MOVE charged ₱77,000 (US$1,380) for a one-way ticket from Manila to Tacloban City via Philippine Airlines, three times the price quoted when directly booking in the flag carrier’s website, transportation ministry data show.

“Clearly, this is just absurd,” Dizon said at the briefing. “What AirAsia MOVE is doing is criminal,” he added.