During robbery "Real" driver of taxi inside compartment

CEBU, Philippines - The real driver of the taxi where a saleslady was robbed at the North Reclamation Area revealed yesterday that he was inside the vehicle’s baggage compartment the entire time the robbery was happening.

The driver, Oswaldo Andales, 43, revealed the information after he was invited by investigators of the Cebu City Police Office Theft and Robbery Section.

In an interview with The Freeman, Andales said the robbery suspect robbed him first and stole his cab around 9:30 pm last December 7, approximately an hour before the saleslady, Anecita Auman, was robbed while taking the cab.

Andales said a man flagged his taxi down at the Fuente Osmeña Circle and asked to be brought to Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City. He said he never expected the man to be a robber because he appeared to be very decent.

However, when they arrived in a dimly lit area in Tres Borces Extension in Barangay Mabolo, the passenger who was seated in the front seat pulled out a caliber 45 pistol and declared a holdup.

After taking his P2,400 day’s worth of earnings, the robber reportedly instructed him to get inside the cab’s baggage compartment. The entire time, the man pointed his gun at the back of Andales’ head.

“With the barrel of his (robber) firearm at the back of my head, he instructed to go inside the baggage area,” he said.

Later, while inside the baggage area, Andales reportedly noticed a female passenger board his taxi and only then did he realize that the robber was posing as the driver. Later still, he reportedly heard a struggle from inside the car and then the vehicle stopped. However, the robber’s warning to kill him stuck in his mind and prevented him from doing anything.

However, because of exhaustion, he started shouting for help about 30 minutes later until a group of youngsters rescued him. At that time, the taxi was deserted in Barangay Subangdako, Mandaue City.

His speculation that his taxi was used in a robbery was only confirmed yesterday by the police.

To recall, Auman escaped after she managed to disarm the robber and jump off the moving vehicle. – (FREEMAN)