Female passenger survives taxi driver’s assault

A text message led to the arrest of a taxi driver who repeatedly stabbed a passenger while she was pleading for her life during a robbery attempt in Mandaluyong City last Oct. 24.

The passenger, Christina Carcellar, 22, survived the assault, but not before sustaining 11 stab wounds, one of them almost piercing her lungs. She was left for dead at the corner of J.P. Rizal and Catacutan streets in Barangay Vergara.

In tears, the victim positively identified suspect Julio Jalayahay, 42, of Binangonan, Rizal, during a confrontation at the office of Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief.

Jalayahay was arrested by a police team in Bacoor, Cavite at 10 a.m. yesterday. He yielded a fan knife. He admitted stabbing and robbing Carcellar.

Carcellar said she flagged down the cab driven by Jalayahay after working overtime at the Publicists Advertising Co. office located in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City last Oct. 24. She asked to be taken to Mandaluyong City.

As a force of habit, Carcellar sent a text message to her boyfriend: "TVH 612- ang pl8 no ng taxi ko." She also called up their house and asked their housemaid to fetch her outside.

Inside the cab, the suspect took out an ice pick and announced the holdup. She handed over her bag containing cash and her cell phone while pleading for her life.

But Jalayahay ignored her and repeatedly stabbed her. The suspect said he threw the victim’s bag near his taxi garage in Cavite.

Based on information relayed by the boyfriend, police were able to trace the taxi to the garage. Cops were posted to arrest Jalayahay. Their patience paid off after three days.

Velasquez said Jalayahay was also involved in another robbery incident in Makati City. – Non Alquitran