Taxi driver killed; cops eye robbery

CEBU, Philippines - A taxi driver was found dead inside his own cab parked at a dark area in sitio Basbas, Barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City evening last Sunday.

Eliezer Parilla, 48, was found with a slash on his neck, which was believed to have caused his untimely death.

Parilla is a native of Barangay Poblacion, Medellin. His taxi unit with plate number GXC-973 is operated by Joycellemar Taxi.

Mandaue Police Director Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac said it was driver of a motorcycle-for-hire who was on his way home who first saw Parilla’s taxi at past 11pm.

The witness reportedly saw a commotion happening inside the cab with two unidentified men seemingly attacking a person. This prompted the witness to report the matter to the barangay tanods at an outpost stationed several meters away. The tanods, in turn, relayed the report to the police.

When members of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of MCPO arrived at the area, the suspects have already fled and Parilla was already sprawled on his seat, his neck slashed. He was rushed to the Mandaue City District Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

Gillamac said the motorcycle-for-hire driver saw the headlights and the hazard lights of the taxicab switched on, making him believe it was Parilla’s way to call for help.

Police believe the victim was robbed and was eventually killed when he tried to resist. A knife was found inside the cab, but Parilla’s mobile phone and wallet went missing.

Subsequent investigation conducted by the Scene of the Crime Operatives also boosted the police’s belief that the crime was carried out by more than one person.

Gillamac also believed that the suspects live near the place considering the “swiftness” of their disappearance from the crime scene even without a getaway vehicle.

Gillamac said it is very possible that the suspects, pretending to be passengers, flagged down Parilla’s taxi somewhere else and only declared the hold-up when they reached the crime scene.

Gillamac said he already directed IDMB and the MCPO intelligence section to pin down the suspects through backtracking and elimination processes.

Parilla’s remains were subjected to a medico-legal examination to determine the real cause of his death.

His family subsequently took his body to Danao City.   (FREEMAN NEWS)