Man goes wild with stolen taxi

CEBU, Philippines - A man landed in jail after he drove a stolen taxicab into the premises of a school in Talisay City and maneuvered it as if the grounds were racetracks last Tuesday morning.

It took two hours before police eventually pulled Jedy Basa out of the vehicle.

Investigation revealed that Basa went to the East Visayan Academy to seek help from a pastor there reportedly because someone was after him and his life.

“Pag-abot sa East Visayan gihimo nang bump car, guba na kaayo ang taxi,” said PO3 Shindey Tabocos.The police reportedly tried to convince Basa to calm down but he reportedly would not listen and just kept on driving, hitting everything in his path. 

The situation could not be contained right away that classes had to be suspended starting 9 a.m. They resumed only at 1 p.m.

Eventually, the police decide to prick the wheels of the cab, which allowed them to destroy the windshield and eventually arrest Basa.

Basa reportedly resisted violently and even tried to grab the M16 rifle of a Special Weapons and Tactics team member.

The police learned later that the taxicab has been stolen based on a report by the Mabolo Police Station. The taxi is operated by the Cebu Integrated Transport Services Cooperative (CITRASCO).

Tabocos said they suspected that Basa may have been under the influence of illegal drugs and may have acted strange due to lack of sleep.

Basa was brought first to the Talisay City District Hospital for examination before he was detained at the police stockade at the Talisay City Hall. — (FREEMAN)