3 men rob driver, take his taxi unit

CEBU, Philippines - Posing as passengers, three unidentified men robbed a driver of his taxicab along a quiet area in Barangay Casili, Mandaue City at past 10 p.m. last Saturday.

Ruel Villacorta, 38, had no other choice but to ride on a motorcycle-for-hire and proceeded to the police station to report the incident.

His taxi unit was a Strawberry Taxi with plate numbers GXG-243.

The victim, a resident of Talamban, Cebu City, told the police that he was in Banilad, Mandaue City after dropping off some passengers from Cebu City.

His passengers had just attended the grand procession for the Sr. Sto. Niño.

Shortly after dropping off his passengers, three men embarked on his taxi and told him to bring them to Barangay Casili.

When they reached the area, one of the three men suddenly pointed a gun on his head and declared a hold-up.

The man sitting at the front seat then took his day’s earnings which was almost P1,000 and ordered him to get off the vehicle.

Out of fear, the driver disembarked from the taxi while the man on the front seat took the driver’s seat and maneuvered the taxi towards an unknown direction.

The victim, who was left behind, walked to seek help when a motorcycle-for-hire passed by him and brought him to the Canduman Police Station.

The policemen conducted a follow-up investigation but they have yet to recover the stolen vehicle.

The victim said he could not recognize the robbers. — (FREEMAN)