2 cabbies robbed at dawn

CEBU, Philippines -Two taxi drivers were robbed by unidentified men in separate incidents yesterday dawn.

Herculano Mayorga, driver of Mandarin Taxi, was robbed at gunpoint by two unidentified men at A. Soriano Street in Barangay Mabolo past 2am yesterday.

In a television report, Mayorga said the two men flagged his cab at the corner of Pacaña Street and Tres de Abril Streets in Barangay Labangon and asked that they be brought to SM Mall at the North Reclamation Area.

However, when they reached A. Soriano Street, one of the suspects pointed a gun at him and declared a hold-up. The suspects then took his earnings amounting to P1,700.

“Giingnan ko na ay palag kay patay ka. Dayon ila ko gipagawas sa taxi giingnan ko na dagan tay ngadto padung, ay lingi,” the victim said.

Mayorga said he did not have a choice, but to disembark and ran away. When he turned back, he saw his taxi heading towards Mandaue City. The cab with plate number GVY-117 was later found at an abandoned area in Barangay Centro, Mandaue City past 5am.

Meanwhile, in the other incident, a still unidentified taxi driver reportedly lost his cash to two unidentified men at Happy Valley, Barangay Guadalupe around 5am.

The taxi, which was only identified through its body number 1280, was reportedly found by the driver abandoned at White Hills Banawa around 5:20 am.

The driver sought police assistance from the Guadalupe Police Station, but responding policemen failed to find the suspects. The driver himself no longer returned to the police station, which was why the station failed to get other details of the incident, including the driver’s name.

Records at the Guadalupe Police Station showed that the incident yesterday was the sixth robbery of a taxi within their jurisdiction since February 20. — (FREEMAN)