Cops closing in on cabbie killers

The Caloocan City police said they have locked in on two suspects in the killing of taxi drivers.

Superintendent Napoleon Cuaton, Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, released yesterday a artists sketch of the wanted duo and declared it was "all systems go" for their eventual arrest. Although they admitted they have no names yet, they gave assurance it would not be long before they are collared.

"Tukoy at markado na sila. Hindi na sila makakalayo. Nakatutok na tayo. This type of killers follows a pattern. Mas madali na silang sundan," Cuaton said.

He said the two were described by at least three witnesses who got a good look at the suspects in the area where they left their victims.

The first suspect was tagged for the stabbing to death of Florentino Padilla, 69, driver of an Angel Maui taxi (PWT-197), found slumped dead on the wheel with 33 stab wounds.

Padilla’s killer was described as about 25 years old, 5’3" tall, mestizo, muscular, sporting three earrings on the last ear, face pockmarked with pimples.

The second suspect stabbed to death Apolinario Mangahas, 60, driver of an Abby-Chelle taxi (TYB-753), and was found under similar circumstances as the Padilla killing. He was stabbed 35 times.

The suspect in the Mangahas killing was about 27 to 28 years old, 5’7" tall, brown skinned, medium-built and a "skinhead."

Both killings showed uncanny similarity, probers said.

Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) chief Superintendent Vladimir Villasenor saw through a pattern executed by the killer or killers. He initially said that the suspect or suspects were thrill killers.

Cuaton corroborated the SOCO chief’s theory saying they found the victims’ watches, wallets and earnings intact and untouched.

The drivers were stabbed several times in several parts of the body, mostly in the neck and back.

Although killed some 10 days apart, they were stabbed with both a knife and an icepick, at almost the same time (4 to 5 a.m.) and dumped or abandoned in the same general area on 7th Avenue, West Grace Park, Caloocan City.