Cabbie ‘robbed,’ shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A taxi cab driver, who was believed to have been robbed and killed, was found yesterday morning in a secluded area in Barangay Pilhaom, Consolacion.

The lifeless body of Felimon Borden, of legal age and a resident of Barangay Apas, Cebu City, was discovered by residents at 8 am yesterday inside VBL Taxi bearing plate numbers GWR 577, which he drove.

Police said a gunshot wound was found at the back of Borden’s head that caused his immediate death.  Recovered a few meters from the scene were three bullets of a .45 cal. pistol while inside the cab were Borden’s personal belongings and P1,200 cash from his pocket believed to be proceeds for the day’s trip.

Police Officer 3 Reche Gilliran, the case investigator, said they are still looking for those who witnessed where the two suspected robbers flagged down the cab Borden was driving before he reached Barangay Pilhaom.

 Initially, police are eyeing robbery behind the cab driver’s death even with the cash remaining in his pocket.

 “Nawala na iyang cellphone kay magdala man gyud kuno na siya unya kadtong cash nga nakit-an diha to sa iyang bulsa, posible sa pagsukol sa biktima wala na nila madala,” Gilliran said in a phone interview.

Gilliran also believed that there were two to three people who attacked Borden.

“Mga duha o tulo ka tawo ang nagtabang ani kay sa iyang porma nakasukol pa man ni, mao siguro nga napusilan ni siya,” added Gilliran.

No one could reportedly hear any burst of gunfire from the area as it is far from residential houses and is dimly-lit.

 Police further believed that Borden was killed at past 8 pm because he failed to return to the cab’s garage area in Barangay Banilad to remit the taxi’s rent, which was unusual according to the taxi operator.

“Ig padung ani garahe motext man ni kung malangay gamay kung dunay pasahero, pero kato ila nang gi-text-an ug gitawagan dili na daw makontak,” police said.

 Police are requesting the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for an autopsy examination on the cadaver.  (FREEMAN)